A senior orthopaedic surgeon at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) is all set to stage fast-unto-death from Wednesday afternoon, blaming the government of failing to commit to its past agreements.

Dr Govinda KC, who had earlier staged five hunger strikes demanding reform in medical education and ending political meddling in universities, will begin his protest from 4 pm.

This time around, Dr KC has been reiterating his old demands and also asking the government to implement the Health Profession Education Policy.

“The report was formed by experts. The intention to prolong the implementation by another 30 days is nothing but a ploy,” said Dr KC. Dr KC was referring to a committee chaired by National Planning Commission member Yagya Bahadur Karki, who was commissioned to develop an action plan for policy implementation after putting the report for discussion among concerned stakeholders within next 30 days. The committee formed a week back while the government made the policy report public has health, education and finance secretary as members.

The Kedar Bhakta Mathema-led committee had submitted the report to Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on June 29. The committee has made a slew of recommendations, including establishing medical colleges only outside Kathmandu Valley, setting the MBBS fee ceiling to Rs 3.5 million and limiting the numbers of students to be admitted to 100, among others.

Meanwhile, Nepal Medical Association, an umbrella organisation of doctors, decided to extend support to Dr KC following talks with all the hospital directors inside the Valley and with resident doctors on Tuesday.