The government has established a four person committee to negotiate with Dr Govinda KC, a senior orthopedic surgeon and campaigner for medical education reform. Dr KC is on his 25th hunger strike, calling for changes in medical education and healthcare.
Jayaram Adhikari, a joint secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, will coordinate the committee’s work.
The other members are a joint secretary from the Ministry of Health and Population, the member secretary of the Medical Education Commission, and an undersecretary from the Education Ministry.
The committee was formed amid growing concern about Dr KC’s health after several days without food. His condition worsened, and on Monday he was flown from Ilam to Kathmandu. He is receiving treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
Four person committee set up to negotiate
The government has selected officials from the education and health sectors to hold talks with Dr KC.
Education Ministry Joint Secretary Jayaram Adhikari will lead the committee. Its other members are a joint secretary from the Ministry of Health and Population, the Medical Education Commission’s member secretary, and an Education Ministry representative.
The committee’s formation follows criticism of the government for taking too long to begin negotiations.
Dr KC’s 25th hunger strike
Dr Govinda KC started his 25th hunger strike in Ilam on October 29, continuing his long standing campaign for reform in medical education, healthcare and public governance.
His health declined during the fast, and doctors recommended transferring him to a better equipped hospital.
He was flown to Kathmandu on November 2 and admitted to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
The latest protest follows repeated disputes between Dr KC and the government over the implementation of earlier agreements.
What is Dr KC calling for?
Dr KC has put forward six demands concerning medical education, healthcare, accountability and good governance.
A central demand is that approval for Shaheed Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences in Geta, Kailali, to offer MBBS and nursing courses be withdrawn, because it lacks sufficient infrastructure and qualified staff.
He is also seeking an impartial inquiry into possible conflicts of interest in appointments to the Medical Education Commission and universities.
Another major demand is that Geta Hospital be used to its full capacity, and that medical education not be provided there until the institution meets required standards.
Dr KC has further called for the government to carry out the agreements already made with him.
More broadly, he wants to raise the standard of medical education, prevent irregularities in the healthcare sector and ensure that people can access quality healthcare.
Disputes persist over earlier agreements
The latest hunger strike indicates that Dr KC and the government remain at odds over whether his demands have been fulfilled.
The government says it has made progress in meeting some of them.
Dr KC, however, has challenged the government’s commitment, arguing that some recent decisions go against the intent of the agreements.
He says he will continue his protest until measures are taken to address his demands.
Talks anticipated as concerns about his health increase
Forming the committee creates an opening for formal negotiations between the government and Dr KC’s representatives.
The key question is whether the talks will produce commitments to resolve the issues that have repeatedly prompted him to begin hunger strikes.
Medical professionals and civil society groups have urged the government to engage in substantive discussions and take steps to protect his wellbeing.
The negotiations could influence wider discussions about medical education standards, university appointments and access to healthcare in Nepal.