The health condition of anti-corruption crusader Dr Govinda KC worsened on the third day of his 15th indefinite hunger strike against the government’s bid to reverse the gains in medical education he had fought for.

As his health deteriorates, a team of medics assigned by the District Administration Office Jumla to care for Dr KC has requested the DAO to transfer him to a well-facilitated place. Dr KC, who stages his fast in the covered hall, might need emergency care anytime, according to doctors.

The senior orthopaedic surgeon started his fast-unto-death in police custody after he was detained on the charge of protesting in a prohibited zone. After he began his fast in custody, he was transferred to the recently built covered hall.

The DAO, acting upon the Home Ministry’s order, had declared different places in the district as no-protest areas just before Dr KC arrived. He has accused the government of making attempts to curtail citizens’ freedom of expression. “First in Maitighar Mandala and second in Jumla, the government is misusing its authority in order to muzzle those who speak against its activities behind closed doors,” said Dr KC.

Dr KC, the Bibeksheel Sajha Party and the opposition Nepali Congress have pressed the government to roll back its decision to declare public places as off limits for protesters, threatening to intensify protests if their call was not heeded.

The Karnali Academy of Health Sciences and the Nepal Medical Council have requested the DAO to relocate Dr KC to a well-facilitated place with infrastructure for treatment.

Assistant Chief District Officer Tek Bahadur Budthapa said the administration had briefed the Home Ministry on Dr KC’s worsening health and the poor state of health care facilities in the district.

“We have asked the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences to take proper care of Dr KC. If the situation spirals out of control, we’ll transport him to a place where he can get proper care,” said Budthapa.

Meanwhile, Dr KC has said that he will fight till his last breath for endorsement of the Health Professional Education Act by Parliament without any changes.