The government has decided to address the demand of main opposition Nepali Congress to keep the two hospitals established in the name of two former Prime Ministers and Nepali Congress leaders under the federal government’s jurisdiction.

A cabinet meeting held on Monday decided to bring the two hospitals—Girija Prasad Koirala Respiratory Hospital in Tanahu and Sushil Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Banke—under the purview of federal government.

Earlier in the first week of January, the Ministry of Health and Population had given names of 11 hospitals, including two hospitals under the name of Koirala duo, to the Cabinet to bring them under the federal government. However, the Cabinet had approved only nine hospitals excluding the two hospitals established in the name of Girija Prasad Koirala and Sushil Koirala.

Following the government’s move, Nepali Congress leaders including Ram Chandra Poudel had sharply criticised the government decision and demanded that the government revoke its decision to scrap the names of two hospitals.

NC lawmakers in the third week of January raised voice in the parliament meeting demanding that the government bring the two hospitals established in the name of its veteran leaders under federal government, leading to the postponement of parliament meeting on multiple occasions.

The NC intensified its protest by raising the issue of Dr Govinda KC, who is on the 21st day of his 16th hunger strike, demanding reforms in country’s medical education and health care system.