Dr Govinda KC is recovering in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital following a 27-day long hunger strike which he ended on Thursday night after the government agreed to his demand for reforms in the country’s medical education sector. 

 “I feel better now. The last two days of my hunger strike were the most difficult ones. I felt I was going to die any time, leaving behind all my responsibilities,” Dr KC told the Post.

Dr Subash Acharya, chief of the ICU unit, who is attending to Dr KC, said the health of anti-corruption crusader was improving.

“His condition is improving after he was admitted to the ICU. His heartbeat and blood pressure are returning to normal conditions and his body has started producing electrolytes,” Dr Acharya said.

 Dr KC’s health had reached a critical point during the last days of his hunger strike. Electrolyte imbalance, low blood sugar and low white blood cell had started to take a toll on his body. Doctors attending him had feared that he might slip into a coma any time if he continued to starve himself.   

Though Dr KC has broken his fast and agreed to receive the required medical care, he is still vulnerable to illnesses and needs critical care.

“His health has improved compared to his fasting days. But he is not completely out of risk. He is being

provided with proper care and treatment to reduce the risks,” said Dr Acharya. “It would take about five to six weeks for his body to come up with normal amount of electrolytes to function normally.”

Dr KC is expected to spend some more days in ICU. He will be transferred to the general ward once his condition becomes stable.

Despite his frail health, Dr KC’s spirit remains as stronger than ever.  He said that he would not hesitate to start another Satyagraha if the government fails to implement the agreement that was reached on Thursday night.