KATHMANDU, March 26: His own health condition has been worsening by the day. But Dr Govinda KC of the TU's Institute of Medicine (IoM) who is on a fast-unto-death strike for the past four days more worried about the health of the patients admitted at the TU Teaching Hospital.
On Wednesday also, he inquired about the health conditions of the patients admitted at the hospital with his juniors and students and instructed them about their responsibilities.
"Every day my juniors and students brief me on their daily activities and I instruct them how to move ahead," said Dr KC, who started his hunger strike Sunday. Dr KC has also instructed his students to perform scheduled surgeries of patients, who have been waiting for months. He seems concerned about the disruption of academic activities at the IoM. "I have asked the students not to obstruct academic activities but they do not listen to me," complained Dr KC.
Students under the IoM shunned academic activities on Wednesday to put pressure on the government to fulfil Dr KC's demands. Students also staged demonstration on the hospital premises. About 200 undergraduate medical students also marched to Baluwatar, the prime minister's official residence, and staged a sit-in protest for half an hour.
"We will not return to class until our professor stops his hunger strike," Suman Acharya, a protesting student, said. He informed that the protesting students have submitted a 10-point demand put forth by Dr KC at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Meanwhile, Dr KC's health condition has been fluctuating. "His blood pressure is 100/70 today. Yesterday it was 90/50," informed Dr KC. He said that he feels weak and dizzy.
Dr KC complained that the government as well as political leaders do not seem sensitive about the serious problems in the medical education. "This is misfortune of the country. I am only demanding what they are supposed to do in their position," complained Dr KC.
Meanwhile, Dr Kedar Narshing KC, former chairman of Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has asked the government to be sensitive toward the deteriorating condition of Dr KC.
Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, Dr KC alleged that the government breached all past agreements by granting affiliation to new medical colleges. He has reminded Prime Minister's commitments of not to grant any affiliation to new medical colleges until commission for national health professional education policy is submits its report.
Meanwhile, Nepali Congress leaders Krishna Sitaula and Gagan Thapa visited the hospital to inquire about Dr KC's condition.
Related story
MBBS classes at IOM delayed by a month
