Senior Orthopedic Surgeon at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) Dr Govinda KC has said that his battle for the reforms in health and education in remote Karnali and Far-West Province is still continuing.

“The government signs an agreement but does not implement it,” said Dr KC at a press conference organised in Dhangadhi on Sunday. “The government had signed agreements with me for 15 times,but never implemented them. I have issued an ultimatum of December 17 to implement the agreement,” he said.

The anti-corruption campaigner Dr KC, who has been waging a prolonged battle for reforms in the country's medical education sector, arrived here in Dhangadhi after conducting a free health camp in Bajhang district a week ago.

He believes that the construction of Geta Medical College in Dhangadhi will contribute in the improvement of health sector in the area.He was of the opinion that there should be one government medical college each in Doti and Dadeldhuradistricts of province 7.

He underscored the need for making Seti Zonal Hospital, the refer centre of Far-West, more well equipped. He said that Karnali Province has been lagging behind in terms of quality education and health.

“Karnali and Far-West are far from the sight of government for the past many years,” he said, adding, “People of this region are below the poverty line and are deprived of quality education and health service.”

Though five percent of 28,00,000 people have been receiving treatment in good hospitals in Kathmandu, 95 percent are still far from quality service, he said.

“It is unfortunate that people of underprivileged families are dying due to lack of medical treatment,” he said, “There is no alternative to improving the situation.”

“People are taking education and health as business,” he said. “I am fighting for quality education and health across the country,” Dr KC added.

“Who has stopped the government with two-thirds majority from endorsing the bill brought through ordinance?” he questioned, adding, “The bill has not been endorsed yet because the government does not want it.”

Meanwhile, Dr KC, who had reached Kanchanpur during his Far-West visit, expressed solidarity with the protesters demanding justice for Nirmala Pant, who was raped and murdered in Kanchanpur on July 26.

“It is not enough to sack the police personnel who tried to protect the culprit by destroying the evidences. Criminal case should be filed against them,” he said.

“The government hasn’t been able to book the culprit yet,” Dr KC said. “Why the government is protecting the perpetrators?” he questioned.

He said the people have started suspecting that the perpetrators behind the rape and murder of Nirmala must have good connection with the government.