Resident doctors at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) on Sunday decided to skip all academic and OPD services from Monday afternoon extending their support to Dr Govinda KC, an orthopaedic surgeon who is on a fast-unto-death since last week demanding reforms in medical education.

Dr Ram Chandra Sapkota, president of National Resident Doctors’ Association at the TUTH, said they will not take part in OPD services. “We will however attend to emergency situations and patients admitted at the hospital,” he said. “We will also stage a relay hunger-strike to press the government to fulfil Dr KC’s demand.”

A mass meeting held on Sunday also decided to take stern measures if the government fails to address Dr KC’s demands. In the past, entire services of the TUTH have been shut down to press the government to fulfil the demands of Dr KC.

There are around 300 resident doctors stationed in various units of the TUTH. They also play a vital role in catering OPD services. A busy hospital in town, the TUTH caters to around 3,000 people each day. The MBBS students had already quit their classes in support of Dr KC.

Meanwhile, UCPN-Maoist leaders have drawn the attention of Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Sunday urging him to address the demands of Dr KC. “I have asked the PM and top leaders of major parties to address his demands,” Baburam Bhattarai said.

The issue was also raised during the four-party meeting where party leaders agreed to seek progress from the government in the next meet. Bhattarai had on Sunday morning visited Dr KC and expressed his solidarity.

As his fast entered the seventh day, doctors attending Dr KC say he might collapse any moment. Dr Jiwan Kshetry said there is an erratic pattern in his heart beat. “In his earlier fasts, Dr KC had developed Ventricular Premature Complexes and took him quite a while to recuperate,” he said. “This time although there is irregular beats, we are worried that he might need emergency measures if he again develops VPC.” VPC is a condition that causes irregular health and can have detrimental health effects.

Dr KC has been demanding an immediate implementation of Health Profession Education Policy drafted by a committee led by former TU-Vice Chancellor Kedar Bhakta Mathema.

In his eight-point demand, he has asked to investigate forgery of affiliations, total seats, patients and faculties and take action against those found guilty, appoint office bearers of Nepal Medical Council, Nepal Health Research Council and others based on meritocracy and  take action against officials found guilty by the Jaya Ram Giri report among others.