Doctors at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital have formed ‘Save Dr Govinda’ committee expressing solidarity with Dr Govinda KC who is staging a fast-unto-death against the political appointment of the Institute of Medicine dean.

The nine-member committee led by Dr Rajendra Raj Wagle includes Dr Dwarika Shrestha, Dr Meeta Singh, Dr Pradeep Krishna Shrestha, Dr Divya Singh and Dr Subash Acharya. The members said they will urge the government to address Dr KC’s demands.

The Tribhuvan University Executive Council had appointed Dr Sashi Sharma as the IoM dean on January 10, a month after his predecessor Dr Prakash Sayami resigned amid a bitter dispute over granting affiliation to new medical colleges. Dr Sharma assumed his position on Sunday.

KC has demanded the government reinstate the former dean, stop the affiliation process to new medical colleges, end political interference in the IoM and take action against the present office bearers of the university. Similarly, a medical committee led by Dr Pradeep Krishna Shrestha has also started inspecting Dr KC’s health from Sunday.

ANNISU-R objects to dean appointment

KATHMANDU: The UCPN (Maoist)-aligned All Nepal National Independent Students ‘Union (Revoluti-onary) has condemned the appointment of Dr Sashi Sharma as the dean of the Institute of Medicine (IoM).

ANNISU-R chief Himal Sharma objected to the decision charging Tribhuvan University officials with appointing a “controversial figure” to the top job for serving their ill motives. “We’ll continue with our struggle for quality, sustainability and development of the institution,” the union stated.

Sharma succeeded Dr Prakash Sayami who resigned over a dispute in granting affiliations to medical colleges. Opposing the move, orthopaedician Dr KC began an indefinite fast on Saturday.