Doctors and medical personnel have shut down hospital services in Karnali Province demanding the concerned authorities save life of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC who has been staging a hunger strike since Saturday.

Nepal Medical Association (NMA) had given a 24-hour ultimatum to the government to take the agitating doctor to a well-equipped place for treatment.

The doctors working at various hospitals in Karnali Province have halted all services except emergency saying the government remained indifferent to their demands. The doctors in Jumla have staged a sit-in protest in front of the covered hall, where Dr KC has been staging his hunger strike, saying the administration is treating Dr KC as a criminal.

NMA Karnali chapter Vice Chairman Dr Prabin Giri informed that all 10 District Hospitals in Karnali province have halted all services indefinitely, except emergency services.

Dr KC began his 15th indefinite hunger strike against the government’s bid to reverse the gains in medical education he had fought for. The senior orthopaedic surgeon started his fast-unto-death in police custody after he was detained on the charge of protesting in a prohibited zone. After he began his fast in custody, he was transferred to the recently built covered hall.