Resident doctors at the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University have decided to skip their work in the out-patient department, extending their support

to the ongoing fast of Dr Govinda KC.

Issuing a statement, National Resident Doctors Association said it would not serve in the OPD department from Tuesday. They however, will be available at the operation theatre and for emergency services. They have also decided to skip their classes until the government addresses the demands of the protesting orthopaedic surgeon.

“We will be forced to take stern measures if the government ignores Dr KC’s demands,” said Dr Leison Maharjan, president of the NRDA.

Resident doctors are vital to the TU Teaching Hospital that serves around 3,000 people each day. They are the ones to see patients before referring cases to senior doctors or professors. There are a total of 300 resident doctors at the TUTH OPD and without them the services can be severely affected. Dr KC has been on a hunger strike for the last eight days demanding reforms in the medical education sector. Other demands include endorsement of the Health Profession Education Bill and medical education fees as suggested by the Mathema Committee. A majority of the demands are yet to be fulfilled by the government while the condition of Dr KC has been deteriorating.

Medic’s health worsens

As the fast of Dr Govinda KC entered the eighth day, doctors attending him on Monday said he might need emergency care anytime soon.

Dr Dibya Singh of the health committee monitoring Dr Kc said he has become too weak. “Oxygen saturation is dropping sharply again and again. This is a dangerous sign,” said Dr Singh. A normal person requires an oxygen saturation of above 98 percent but Dr KC’s oxygen level once dropped to 48.

Dr KC is also complaining of muscle cramp and chest pain. “He will need emergency intervention if the condition persists,” said Dr Singh.