Kathmandu, July 11

Dr Govinda KC, senior orthopaedic surgeon at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, who has been on a fast-unto-death in Jumla since June 30, has agreed to hold talks with the government.

Issuing a press release today, Dr KC said some government officials had disseminated wrong information that he did not want to hold talks. “We are waiting for the government to invite us for talks,” he said in the release.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Health and Population Padma Aryal said the government was ready to hold talks with Dr KC. Speaking at a programme here today, she said the government was concerned about  Dr KC’s health. She also urged doctors and health workers to call off their strike.

Dr KC is staging 15th hunger strike in Jumla following the government’s preparation to table the National Medical Education Bill that had altered the ordinance replacement bill tabled by the previous government.

The government registered a new health education bill a few days ago after the major opposition Nepali Congress did not allow tabling of the National Medical Education Bill.