Dr. Govinda KC Shifted to ICU After Health Condition Deteriorates, Education Minister Urges Dialogue

 

Dhangadhi — The health condition of senior medical reform activist Prof. Dr. Govinda KC has worsened while he is on a hunger strike in Dhangadhi demanding reforms in Nepal’s medical education and healthcare sectors. He has been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Seti Provincial Hospital for treatment and close monitoring.

According to Dr. Amrit Jaishi, a close aide of Dr. KC, he was transferred to the ICU after his blood sugar level dropped significantly and his blood pressure became unstable. Doctors recommended hospitalisation due to his deteriorating health condition.

Dr. Jaishi said Dr. KC’s blood sugar level, which was recorded at 56 mg/dL on Friday evening, dropped to 50 mg/dL during a test on Saturday morning. His blood pressure has also been fluctuating continuously.

Dr. KC has also developed other health complications, including muscle cramps, difficulty speaking, and problems walking and using the bathroom. His condition became critical within three days of starting his latest hunger strike, considering his old age and a complex leg surgery he underwent about a month ago.

A medical team led by physician Dr. Gajendra Duwal at Seti Provincial Hospital is monitoring his health condition. Although he has been moved to the hospital, Dr. KC has continued his hunger strike.

Education Minister Requests Talks

Meanwhile, Education Minister Sasmita Pokhrel contacted Dr. KC twice on Friday night and requested him to come for talks.

According to Dr. Jaishi, Dr. KC presented his demands during the conversation, including the removal of officials at Shahid Dasharath Chand Medical University and the operation of a 300-bed full-time hospital at Geta.

Minister Pokhrel reportedly assured him that the government would take initiatives to address his demands and requested him to end the hunger strike and participate in negotiations.

Dr. KC’s 24th Hunger Strike

Dr. KC, who has repeatedly staged hunger strikes demanding reforms in medical education, is currently on his 24th hunger strike.

He said he was forced to resume the protest after the government ignored the deadline he had given until Shrawan 5 to address his demands.

Dr. KC has demanded an end to appointments made in medical institutions, including Dasharath Chand Medical University and the Medical Education Commission, that create conflicts of interest.

He has also called for the withdrawal of decisions to reduce scholarships through the Medical Education Commission and increase seats in private medical colleges without meeting required standards and infrastructure.

While welcoming the establishment of a university at Geta, Dr. KC has alleged that there are vested interests behind changing the proposed model from a health sciences academy to a university.