TUTH resident docs to boycott OPD services, academic activities as Dr KC's health deteriorates

KATHMANDU: Resident doctors and medical students at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital warned of indefinite strike from Monday, in solidarity with Dr Govinda KC, who has been staging a fast-unto-death for the sixth time, putting forth various demands "for reforms in Nepal's medical sector".

Dr Ram Chandra Sapkota, Chairman of the Nepal Resident Doctors' Association, told THT Online that the resident doctors and students would not attend to patients at the outpatient department (OPD) of the TUTH.

The doctors have also decided to boycott all academic activities at the Institute of Medicine and TUTH from tomorrow

The senior orthopaedic surgeon at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital has been staging the indefinite hunger strike since August 24 at the TUTH premises.

A mass meeting of the doctors held at the TUTH premises today made the decision, according to Sapkota.

"The meeting also decided to call students, faculty members, professors and well-wishers to take part in relay hunger strikes beginning today," he added.

According to the latest protest programmes, announced by the NRDA today, a mass rally would be held from Maitighar to New Baneshwor in support of Dr KC, on Wednesday.

Health deteriorating

Meanwhile, health condition of Dr Govinda KC is worsening, doctors attending to him said.

Dr YP Singh, a doctor attending to the veteran hunger striker, said Dr KC's heartbeats have increased while he is experiencing chest pain also.

"A special medical team has been formed today to take care of him," Dr Singh informed.

The team includes senior medics at the TUTH including Head of Medicine Department Dr Pradip Raj Shrestha and kidney specialist Dr Dibya Singh.