Dr. KC ends hunger strike after 7-point deal with govt

By Raman Poudel, Kathmandu, July 28 : Dr. Govinda KC ended his hunger strike on Monday evening after reaching a seven-point agreement with the government, bringing to a close his protest demanding reforms in medical education, healthcare, and good governance.Dr. KC broke his fast at Seti Hospital by drinking juice offered by Chakra Bahadur Dhami, a patient’s caregiver from Bajhang, following the conclusion of negotiations between government and Dr. KC.

According to Pawan Thapa, a member of Dr. KC's negotiation team, the talks with the government reached a fruitful conclusion. Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel himself had coordinated and collaborated with Dr. KC from the beginning to address his demands and negotiate.

The agreement's first clause commits the government to operating a teaching hospital with a minimum capacity of 300 beds at Shaheed Dashrath Chand University of Health Sciences in Kailali.

The university will immediately begin the process of establishing the hospital at full capacity and making arrangements to run MBBS and other academic programmes. 

The Ministry of Health and Food Safety and the Ministry of Education and Sports will provide the necessary coordination, facilitation, and manpower required for the initiative. The government has also agreed to submit a proposal within three months to amend university-related legislation, including the Geta Act, 2082. The proposed amendments will address the qualifications and appointment process of university officials and will be tabled during the current session of the Federal Parliament.

In accordance with the agreement, the Medical Education Commission will determine student enrollment quotas based on the provisions of the National Medical Education Act, 2075, the National Medical Education Regulations, 2077, and the Integrated Procedure for Quality Assessment and Seat Determination of Educational Institutions Providing Medical Education, 2083.

The Ministry of Education has further committed to proposing the formation of a high-level task force to study the implementation of Section 47 of the National Medical Education Act, which requires medical education institutions operating in Nepal to function as non-profit and service-oriented organizations. The task force will submit its report, along with recommendations, within six months.

Through the negotiation, the government also agreed to improve access to basic services in the Far West and border regions. The government has pledged to expand healthcare, education, transportation, and employment infrastructure to reduce the dependence of local residents on neighbouring areas for essential services.

The government also expressed its commitment to take legal action and investigation against killings, arson, looting and destruction during the Gen Z movement. It has also pledged to pursue impartial investigations into corruption allegedly involving high-ranking politicians and government officials from 2046 BS to the present.

To monitor progress, both sides agreed to establish a separate task force to review the implementation status of previous agreements reached with Dr. KC. The task force will submit its findings within three months.

Thapa informed that the agreement was signed by Dr. Govinda KC on behalf of the protesting side and representing the government were Chudamani Paudel, Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr. Bikash Devkota, Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, Chandrakanta Bhusal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Education, MP Pukar Bam, and Dr. Jagadish Prasad Agrawal, Health Advisor to the Prime Minister.