KATHMANDU: The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has rolled back its decision to suspend all services except emergency and COVID-19 at the health institutions across the country on Sunday.
The NMA, the umbrella organizations of doctors in Nepal, canceled the protest after the government inked an eight-point agreement with Dr. Govinda KC.
Dr. KC is ending his fast-unto-death on Sunday morning.
The agreement has been reached between Dr. KC and the coordinator of the government’s talk team, Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Gopi Mainali, late night.
The government and Dr. KC have agreed to run an MBBS program at Karnali Institute of Health Sciences from next year.
Similarly, the two sides have also agreed to conduct educational programs, including MBBS at Geta in Far-Western Province, Bardibas in Province 2, Pokhara Institute of Health Sciences, and Rapti Institute of Health Sciences by February 22, 2024, after completing all legal procedures and construction of physical infrastructure.
The government and Dr. KC have also agreed to expedite the opening of government medical colleges in Doti or Dadeldura, Udayapur, and Ilam or Panchthar, to expand PCR testing for COVID-19, and to provide a budget for free healthcare at Bayalpata Hospital, among others.
It may be noted that the government had on Wednesday formed a team to hold talks with Dr. KC, who is staging a fast-unto-death at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Maharajgunj.
Dr. KC, who is on the 27th day of his 19th fast-unto-death at the TUTH, started his hunger strike calling for the implementation of his past agreements reached with the government.
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