IoM gets new dean‚ finally

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Prof Dr Govinda KC today ended his fast-unto-death after the Tribhuvan University (TU) Executive Council appointed Prof Dr Kumud Kumar Kafle as new dean of the TU Institute of Medicine (IoM).

Dr KC, head of orthopaedic department, had launched the hunger strike at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) on Thursday, demanding merit-based appointments to key posts at IoM and disciplinary action against those institute officers found guilty of corruption and other irregularities and a fair appointment in the vacant posts through competition.

The major posts at IoM, namely assistant deans, campus chief and assistant campus chief, have been lying vacant for nine months. Dr Kafle was the chief of Clinical Pharmacology Department at TUTH and was appointed as the dean on the basis of seniority. It is learnt that Dr Kafle is retiring after five weeks due to age-limit.

He had also served TUTH as deputy director 25 years ago.

The Vice Chancellor’s Office of the TU had sent a letter late yesterday evening informing about Dr Kafle’s appointment.

Two assistant deans, campus chief and assistant campus chief are yet to be appointed at the IoM.

Although the government has addressed the first demand of the doctors, the other two demands that included punishment for incumbent officials involved in irregularities and the resignation of TU officials for incompetence are yet to be addressed.

Dr Dinesh Bastola, coordinator of the Solidarity for Prof Dr Govinda KC Campaign, said Dr Kafle was appointed on the basis of seniority.

He informed that Dr KC has ended his fast at 10 am by addressing a mass meeting in the hospital.

He said the new dean will take over the charge to sort out the remaining issues that the doctors have raised.