Dr KP Singh stepped down as the dean of the Institute of Medicine (IoM) on Friday after 20 days into office while Dr Govinda KC’s hunger strike—with Dr Singh’s resignation as one of his demands—continued for as many days.
Dr KP Singh stepped down as the dean of the Institute of Medicine (IoM) on Friday after 20 days into office while Dr Govinda KC’s hunger strike—with Dr Singh’s resignation as one of his demands—continued for as many days.
Dr KC has been demanding, among other things, that the dean at the IoM should be appointed on the basis of seniority.
Dr Singh’s resignation, however, failed to make Dr KC end his fast, as the latter stuck to his demand that Tirtha Raj Khaniya be removed as the vice-chancellor of the Tribhuvan University, the parent institution of IoM, and that new IoM dean and new TU VC be appointed “immediately”. After talks with government officials, Dr KC’s representatives were discussing and updating the developments to him till the time this paper went to press.
According to TU Rector Sudha Tripathi, a “search team” led by Dr Kumud Kafle would be formed with an aim to find and recommend an eligible candidate for the post of IoM dean.
Dr KC, however, has been demanding that Dr Jagadish Agrawal be appointed the IoM dean on the basis of seniority.
Earlier on Friday, Dr Singh announced his resignation as the IoM dean at a press conference, saying he decided to step down with immediate effect as “life of my friend is dearer to me than the dean’s post.”
Dr Singh, a longtime friend of Dr KC, was earlier seen standing by the latter, monitoring his health condition when he had launched hunger strikes in the past and supporting the fasting doctor’s cause, said that it “makes me sad that my friend ignored my 30 years of contribution”.
NHRC urges doctors not to shun services
KATHMANDU: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged medical professionals and organisations not to disrupt services at health institutions on any pretext. Issuing a statement on Friday, the national rights watchdog expressed serious concerns over the protest of government doctors who have halted services across the country to press the government to address Dr Govinda KC’s demands. Dr KC has been on a hunger strike for the past 20 days. (PR)
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