Valley
3-member govt team to hold talks with Dr KC
Amid mounting pressure from various quarters to address demands of Dr Govinda KC, the government on Wednesday night formed a three-member committee to hold talks with him.Amid mounting pressure from various quarters to address demands of Dr Govinda KC, the government on Wednesday night formed a three-member committee to hold talks with him.
Dr KC has been on a hunger strike for the last 11 days calling for reforms in the medical education sector.
A Cabinet meeting on Wednesday decided to form the team comprising secretaries of health, education and Prime Minister’s Office to hold talks with Dr KC, who has been fasting for the last 11 days.
Health Minister Ram Janam Chaudhary said the secretaries are tasked with holding talks on issues related to medical education. Regarding the political demand, including the impeachment of Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority chief Lok Man Singh Karki, Chaudhary did not comment.
Sources said the secretaries will negotiate with Dr KC on his demands, including amendments to the Health Professional Education Commission Bill to incorporate provision of making MBBS programme free in government institutes, among others. They will also review previous agreements reached with Dr KC.
It is learnt that there have been some backdoor talks between the aides of Dr KC and senior leaders. The leaders have suggested that Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Sher Bahadur Deuba will make a commitment to Dr KC and will resolve his demands once they form their government.
Earlier in the day, Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar had met Dr KC and urged him to end his fast.
The Speaker called on Dr KC amid public outcry over the government and lawmakers’ continued silence about the fasting surgeon’s demands.
While urging Dr KC to end his fast, Speaker Gharti Magar promised that she would raise his demands in Parliament.
As Gharti Magar, who hails from Rolpa, enquired about Dr KC’s health, the frail surgeon asked her: “How do people of your community access health services?” Dr KC also asked her if she
would like to see a medical college near her home or at a place from where people her district could access health services easily. Gharti Magar just nodded as she stood by the doctor. “Each of the 30 million people of the country deserves better healthcare,” said Dr KC.
She was with Dr KC for about 15 minutes. Before leaving, she again requested Dr KC to end his fast.
As his hunger strike entered 11th day today, Dr KC’s health has deteriorated further and doctors attending to him have said he might need emergency medical care any moment.
Prez concerned
KATHMANDU: President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on Wednesday expressed her concern about the health condition of Dr Govinda KC. President Bhandari on Wednesday held a meeting with Minister for Health Ram Janam Chaudhary and asked about Dr KC’s health and his demands. “The President expressed her concern about Dr KC’s health and the steps the government has taken to address his demands,” said President Bhandari’s Political Adviser Sushil Pyakurel. “The President also urged the government to act swiftly.”