As the hunger strike of Dr KC reached its eighth day, all the senior doctors have warned of grave consequences if the government fails to address his demands.

The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) called on its members across the country to stage relay hunger strikes while it asked doctors to provide treatment to patients out in the open until the “genuine” demands are addressed.

The NMA also held an emergency meeting with medical directors of hospitals inside the Valley, senior doctors and professional associations of health workers. Almost all the officials asked the NMA to take stringent measures in support of the fasting orthopaedics’ demands. The NMA has formed separate teams to hold talks with the government and to spearhead the protest.

Meanwhile, the government talks team failed on Sunday to reach an agreement with Dr KC, deepening the crisis. Health Minister Khagaraj Adhikari and Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal met Dr KC but they returned immediately after the doctors’ committee suspected that the officials were “unprepared to address the demands”.

The meeting ended effectively as Dr KC demanded the resignation or expulsion of Education Minister Chitra Lekha Yadav and the office bearers of the Tribhuvan University and the Nepal Medical Council.

“In the past, Dr KC believed the government’s false promises. This led him to stage several hunger strikes,” said Dr Jiwan Kshetry, who attended the dialogue. “Our bottom-line this time is their resignation which should come before we may sit for next round of talks.”

Minister Yadav was also a member of the government’s dialogue committee but she was removed after Dr KC stood firm that he would not talk to those against whom his protest is targeted.

As the government fails to initiate any substantive action to address his demands, Dr KC’s condition became critical on Sunday. Doctors said he might need intensive care anytime. According to Dr Dibya Singh, potassium and magnesium levels in his body have dropped significantly.

Affiliation process followed CIAA concern: VC

KATHMANDU: Tribhuvan University Vice-chancellor Hira Bahadur Maharjan has claimed that the TU had taken up the affiliation process following concerns from the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of the Authority.

Speaking at a programme jointly organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the TU in the Capital on Sunday, Maharjan claimed that the process was initiated after the anti-graft body frequently asked why the university had not made any move for granting medical affiliations. He rued that no one cared when other universities issued medical affiliations but the TU move was vigorously protested.

He was referring to the newly launched Kathmandu University MBBS programmes at Birat and Devdaha Medical Colleges. He defended that the affiliations were being awarded to colleges that have fulfilled the due process. Maharjan also defended the plans to shift under-graduate programmes to Kirtipur arguing that the Institute of Medicine premises in Maharajgunj are not

spacious enough to accommodate both undergraduate and graduate programmes. (PR)

The demands

1.    Scrap parliamentary committee’s decision to grant new affiliations and stop the process until a medical education policy is formulated.

2.    Before sitting for talks, dismiss Tribuvan University office bearers and take action against those who were held guilty by a task force.

3.    Implement reports prepared by two expert panels on the number of medical universities required in the country; devise medical education standards and prepare a medical college affiliation framework.

4.    Ensure that the report submitted by the medical education policy drafting committee will be implemented.

5.    Dismiss the education minister for her involvement in granting medical affiliations from Kathmandu University. Take action against officials involved in the KU affiliations.

6.    Form a high-level panel to probe involvement of the CIAA chief to press KU to grant affiliations. Also probe decision of Justices that set a bad precedent in medical education.

7.    Appoint officials to IoM, NAMS, BPKIHS and NMC on the basis of seniority and merit.

8.    Appoint new officials to TU, KU and NMC and reassess the capacity of medical colleges. “De-affiliate” colleges that are below par.

9.    Set fees for medicine, nursing and paramedic courses through a scientific method. Also, ensure free education in post-graduate level.

10.    Formulate a policy to establish medical colleges in rural parts of the country.