Dr Govinda KC warns of hunger strike if demands are not addressed by July 21

KATHMANDU: Senior orthopaedic surgeon and medical education reform campaigner Dr Govinda KC has warned that he will resume an indefinite hunger strike if the government fails to address his three key demands by July 21.

Issuing a press statement on Friday, Dr KC said he would revive his previously suspended satyagraha and launch stronger protest programmes if the government does not respond within the deadline.

Dr KC had earlier announced that he would begin a hunger strike if the government failed to appoint a vice-chairperson to the Medical Education Commission by July 9. He suspended the protest after the government appointed a vice-chairperson on July 8.

In his latest statement, Dr KC accused the government of allowing private medical college operators and vested interest groups to influence decisions related to medical education and the health sector.

He argued that healthcare and medical education should remain non-profit public services, noting that even in developed capitalist countries such as the United States, these sectors are largely operated by the government or non-profit institutions.

Dr KC claimed that Nepal has an excessive number of private medical, dental and nursing colleges that fail to meet minimum standards, while individuals linked to private medical institutions continue to dominate policymaking and appointments in regulatory bodies.

He warned that appointing individuals with conflicts of interest to regulatory agencies and universities, including the proposed Medical University, would have long-term negative consequences for Nepal’s healthcare system.

Dr KC has put forward three demands: cancellation of appointments made to regulatory bodies in violation of conflict-of-interest principles; withdrawal of proposals to reduce scholarships and increase student seats in private medical colleges without adequate standards and infrastructure; and swift implementation of legal provisions requiring medical education to become fully non-profit.

He said the government would be fully responsible for any consequences if his demands are not addressed by July 21.