A Nepal Army helicopter that touched down at Dhangadhi Airport on Tuesday afternoon to airlift Dr Gobinda KC to Kathmandu for medical attention returned after the public health activist refused to move until his demands are addressed.

KC has been on a fast-unto-death for the past nine days. The health crusader seeking reforms in the medical education sector refused to fly to Kathmandu, Dr Amrit Jaisi, who is supporting the doctor in the campaign, said.

“The army helicopter has arrived in Dhangadhi, but Dr KC has said that under no circumstances will he go to Kathmandu today,” Jaisi said. “If he is forcefully taken, he will consider it a ‘kidnapping’.”

KC’s health condition in the past few days has been deteriorating, according to Yagyaraj Joshi, assistant chief district officer and spokesperson at District Administration Office, Kailali. The government on Tuesday deployed a helicopter to bring KC to Kathmandu for further treatment on the recommendation of Seti Provincial Hospital.

The hospital said that KC’s health may deteriorate further because of an imbalance of nutrients and water in his body. He may also be suffering from a stomach ulcer, the hospital administration said in a statement on Tuesday morning.

KC was admitted to the ICU of the provincial hospital on the second day of his hunger strike.

In its statement, the hospital asked the Sudurpaschim’s Ministry of Social Development, the National Human Rights Commission and the federal Ministry of Health and Population to admit KC to a hospital with advanced healthcare facilities citing the doctor’s worsening health condition. The provincial hospital said KC has been suffering from severe stomach ulcer, fluctuation of heartbeat, breathing difficulties, decreasing level of oxygen in body, and low blood pressure, among other health complications.

Chief District Officer of Kailali Kiran Thapa said the helicopter returned after KC refused to go to Kathmandu. “Efforts are on to send him to Kathmandu as the doctors informed his treatment was not possible in the province,” Thapa said. “But we could not send him forcefully due to his refusal. The next move depends on the centre’s decision.”

Meanwhile, Pritam Subedi, one of KC’s assistants, informed that KC’s team and the government are holding talks in Kathmandu on Tuesday. After inconclusive negotiations on Sunday, talks between the two parties resumed on Tuesday at the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

KC has been championing health reform causes since his first protest in July 2012. He has currently put forth a seven-point demand which includes but is not limited to the formulation of an umbrella act regarding health science institutions; the introduction of legal provisions for the appointment of office bearers of universities and health institutions; and to turn medical teaching institutions into non-profit institutions by 2029.