The health condition of Dr Govinda KC, who embarked on an indefinite fast four days ago, is critical. He has been demanding the resignation of the newly appointed dean at the Institute of Medicine and the reinstatement of his predecessor

Doctors attending him said he needs to be transferred to intensive care unit if his health deteriorates further. Dr KC has been complaining of chest pain since Monday, which doctors suspect might be due to a heart ailment.

Dr Pradeep Krishna Shrestha, who leads the medical team to oversee Dr KC’s health, said although ECG and blood tests were normal, the chest pain was worrisome and needed close observation. “We have made some parameters. If there is a slight change, he needs to be transferred to the ICU,” said Dr Shrestha.

Dr KC has refused to drink water and take drip. However, doctors forced him on intravenous support after he did not urinate since 7am. His blood pressure measured 90/50, way below the normal 120/80. His urine report on Tuesday showed a rise in ketone level, suggesting the absence of glucose in body and the breaking down of fat cells as the source of energy. The rise in ketone level affects the functioning of the kidneys.

Dr KC has been demanding that the government reinstate former dean Dr Prakash Sayami, stop affiliation to new medical colleges, end political interference in the Institute of Medicine, take action against Tribhuvan University office bearers, and develop IoM into an independent university.

He resorted to hunger strike after Dr Sashi Sharma, senior gastroenterologist at TU Teaching Hospital, was appointed dean a month after Dr Sayami resigned amid row over granting affiliations to new medical colleges.

On Tuesday, Dr Sharma visited Dr KC and asked him to give him three months to work at the Institute. But Dr KC told him that he should have come to see him only after resigning. Dr KC has been stating that Dr Sayami, who was appointed the dean on August 17, 2012, was forced to resign after he barred new affiliations.

Sources say Dr Sharma’s appointment is for providing affiliation to schools including Manmohan Medical College, People’s Dental College and National Medical College of Kathmandu. Dr Sharma denies the charge and has threatened to resign as professor if he is not allowed to work as the dean.

In a meeting, a majority of the TUTH department heads suggested Dr Sharma step down to save Dr KC. “If I were you, I would step down and save the life of one of our friends whose demands are genuine,” Dr Bhagwan Koirala reportedly advised Dr Sharma. Dr Bimal Sinha left the meeting stating that he could not support Dr Sharma.

At a press meeting on Tuesday, Dr Sharma claimed that he had the support of all the department heads. In response, a senior doctor alleged that Dr Sharma had misused the minutes of the meeting.

Cabinet Chairman Khil Raj Regmi talked to Rector Guna Nidhi Neupane, urging him to solve the problem. Cabinet spokesman Madhav Poudel said Regmi was concerned about Dr KC’s health and asked TU office bearers to solve the problem urgently. It is learnt that TU vice-chancellor, registrar and rector returned from Chitwan after the call.