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🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

Activist Dr. Govinda KC to launch 24th hunger strike over medical sector reforms

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Dr. Govinda KC, a prominent activist, is launching his 24th hunger strike in Dhangadhi, Nepal, on Thursday.
  • He is protesting the government's alleged indifference to past agreements and his demands regarding medical education and healthcare.
  • Dr. KC's demands include revoking illegal appointments, amending laws, halting cuts to student scholarships, and making medical education non-profit.

Senior orthopaedic surgeon and activist Dr. Govinda KC is set to begin his 24th hunger strike in Dhangadhi, Kailali, on Thursday, accusing the government of ignoring agreements and failing to address his demands. The indefinite fast will commence at 3 pm at the Krishna Temple Dharamshala.

the current government would bear full responsibility for any serious consequences arising from what he described as its indifference.

— Dr. Govinda KCIn a statement issued on Wednesday, Dr. KC explained his reasons for resuming his protest.

Dr. KC's aide, Dr. Amrit Jaisi, stated that the government took no action by the July 21 deadline Dr. KC had set, leaving him with no alternative but to resume his protest. Dr. KC warned that the current government would be held responsible for any serious consequences stemming from its "indifference," asserting that he is once again compelled to act to defend citizens' rights to healthcare and quality medical education.

He said he had once again been compelled to launch a hunger strike to defend citizens' right to healthcare and ensure quality medical education.

— Dr. Govinda KCIn a statement issued on Wednesday, Dr. KC explained his reasons for resuming his protest.

Central to this protest are issues of political interference in appointments and conflicts of interest. Dr. KC is demanding the immediate revocation of what he calls illegal and conflict-ridden appointments at the Martyr Dasharath Chand University of Health Science and the Medical Education Commission. He also seeks amendments to disputed laws governing these institutions.

people should no longer be forced to depend on neighbouring India for healthcare, education and employment.

— Dr. Govinda KCHighlighting the situation in Sudurpashchim Province and Nepal's border regions, Dr. KC urged the government to expand quality public services and infrastructure within Nepal.

Furthermore, Dr. KC opposes proposals to reduce student scholarships and increase enrollment at private medical colleges that do not meet required standards. He reiterated his long-standing call for medical education to be entirely non-profit, in line with the National Medical Education Act of 2018, and urged the government to honor all past written agreements. He also highlighted the need for improved public services and infrastructure in border regions to prevent citizens from seeking healthcare, education, and employment abroad, thereby preserving national dignity.

so that citizens can access essential services at home and preserve what he described as their national dignity.

— Dr. Govinda KCHighlighting the situation in Sudurpashchim Province and Nepal's border regions, Dr. KC urged the government to expand quality public services and infrastructure within Nepal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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