Dr Govinda KC has urged the government to take ownership of the agreement signed last week through the Cabinet.

The government had agreed to take ownership of all the agreements reached with Dr KC through a Cabinet decision. Dr KC had ended his hunger strike on December 4 after 22 days after the government expressed commitment to take ownership of the agreements. 

But the Cabinet has not sat since the deal was reached.

“We want the government to be accountable to the people,” said Dr KC. “It has already flouted the agreement,” added Dr KC, referring to reports that the government has started process to grant affiliation to Jhapa-based B&C Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Centre. The 12-point agreement signed between Dr KC and the government categorically calls for halting affiliations to medical schools until the Health Profession Education Bill is endorsed by Parliament. 

 “Yet, we want the government to take ownership of the agreements that have been reached,” said Dr KC. “We are not against establishing new medical schools. What we are asking for is endorsement of the Health Profession Education Bill that will deal with affiliation issues.” 

According to officials at the Ministry of Education, they were under pressure from Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to grant affiliation to B&C Medical College. 

A Cabinet meeting is likely to be held on Sunday.