The government will form a committee to investigate the decision to approve an MBBS programme and allocate seats at the Martyr Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences in Geta, Kailali, after medical reform activist Dr Govinda KC ended his 25th hunger strike following an agreement with the government.

The agreement was reached on Saturday morning between Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel, who is also co-chair of the Medical Education Commission, and KC. Under the deal, a five-member panel led by Professor Dr Ramesh Prasad Acharya will review the commission’s October 16 decision to allow academic programmes, including MBBS, at Geta and to increase MBBS seats at the Army Medical College under the Nepali Army College of Health Sciences.

The panel will assess whether the approvals and seat allocations meet medical education standards and submit its findings to the government. Student matching will proceed after the government implements the panel’s recommendations.

The agreement also states that officials from the commission, Geta institute and medical college involved in the decisions could face action if the panel finds that required standards were not met or that conflicts of interest were involved.

KC began his hunger strike in Ilam on October 28, putting forward six demands. He had challenged the commission’s decision, arguing that it had approved programmes and allocated seats at Geta without adequately assessing the university’s infrastructure, staffing and compliance with standards.

The agreement also calls for the government to move within two weeks to issue an ordinance amending the Martyr Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences Act, 2025, to revise the qualifications and appointment provisions for university officials. The appointment process for new officials will begin immediately after the ordinance is issued, in line with KC’s suggestions.

The government has also agreed to implement commitments made during KC’s 24th hunger strike on July 27. A task force will monitor implementation, comprising Shailendra Jha, chief adviser to the Ministry of Education and Sports; a ministry joint secretary; Bijaya Babu Shiwakoti and Dr Amrit Jaisi, representing KC; lawmaker Pukar Bam; and Nepal Medical Association president Dr Badri Rijal. The task force will meet at least once a month.

The government has pledged to accelerate infrastructure development, with budget allocations, for public medical colleges or health science academies in Dadeldhura, Ilam and Udayapur. It has also agreed to move ahead immediately with establishing and operating a medical college in Bardibas.

KC ended his hunger strike programmes following the agreement. The deal was signed by Minister Pokharel, KC, Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s health adviser Professor Dr Jagadish Agrawal, Bam and Rijal.

The Education Ministry had earlier formed a negotiating team led by a joint secretary from its higher education division. KC had insisted on talks only with the prime minister or education minister. Pokharel led the negotiations, which began Friday night and concluded Saturday morning.