KATHMANDU: Medical education and healthcare reform activist Prof. Dr. Govinda KC is set to begin his 24th hunger strike from Dhangadhi, Kailali, accusing the government of failing to implement past agreements and address his long-standing demands.
Dr. KC announced that he would start the protest at 3 pm at the Krishna Temple Dharamshala in Dhangadhi, stating that the government has repeatedly ignored commitments made during previous agreements.
In a statement issued on the eve of the protest, Dr. KC alleged that private interests and commercial groups have been gaining increasing influence in Nepal’s health and medical education sectors.
Reminding that medical education and healthcare should remain purely non-profit public services, he said the National Medical Education Act, 2018, has a provision to make the sector fully non-profit by 2028, but claimed the government has failed to take meaningful steps toward implementation.
Dr. KC also criticized what he described as attempts to prioritize private medical, dental, and nursing colleges that do not meet minimum standards and infrastructure requirements. He alleged that plans to reduce scholarship seats while increasing paid seats would negatively affect rural healthcare services and students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
He further questioned the appointment process for the vice-chairperson of the Medical Education Commission, alleging that individuals with conflicts of interest were being considered for leadership positions. According to him, such moves could undermine the commission’s autonomy and citizens’ right to healthcare.
In his statement, Dr. KC also raised concerns over the delayed operation of the Geta Medical College in Kailali. He claimed that despite preparations to begin operations, the introduction of a university-related law with controversial provisions has created uncertainty.
Dr. KC alleged that while government health science academies established in other provinces have already started functioning, the proposed Geta Medical University remains stalled due to political interference and the influence of commercial interest groups.
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