Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC on Wednesday postponed his 12th hunger strike following the postponement of Parliament affairs.

Issuing a press statement today, the agitating TUTH senior orthopaedic surgeon informed about the postponement of his protest which he began on September 25 warning against passing the Health Profession Education (HPE) Bill with the provisions that favour a handful of institutions backed by some political party members. 

The parliamentarians’ plan to rush the HPE Bill on Monday hit a snag after the parliament meet called to endorse the bill was put off hours after Dr KC announced his hunger strike, until October 6 for Dashain holidays.

Likewise, the statement read that Dr KC will resume his hunger strike from October 5 that marks the end of Dashain festival.

Dr KC, who had staged his 11th fast-unto-death from July 24 to August 15, said he decided to go on a hunger strike after sensing that preparations were being made to endorse the HPE Bill by ignoring some crucial recommendations made by a team of experts led by Kedar Bhakta Mathema.

The Mathema team’s report has recommended a moratorium of 10 years on establishing new medical colleges in Kathmandu Valley.

Dr KC has also demanded that all medical schools comply with the government-proposed fee structure for medical colleges.