KATHMANDU: The health of Dr Mahesh Gajurel, who is on a fast-unto-death putting forth demand that the part-time university teachers should be given appointment on contract basis, is deteriorating.

Gajurel has been staging the hunger strike in front of the Tribhuvan University (TU) office in Kirtipur for five days. He has launched the hunger strike at the call of the Nepal Part-time University Teachers Association.

"Problem has been seen in Dr Gajurel's blood pressure level, heart and breathing," Association co-president Narendra Prasad Bhandari said. It has been learnt that Gajurel is also suffering from urine-related problem.

Dr Gajurel has started the fast-unto-death as the relay hunger strike organised by the Association for 64 days fell on deaf ears.

A taskforce formed by the Tribhuvan University in its report stated that 1,420 posts of part-time teachers were required at the constituent campuses under the TU.