Key Takeaways:

• Dr KC ended his fast on July 28 after a seven-point agreement with the government.
• Deal commits to operating a 300-bed hospital and beginning medical classes this academic session.
• Registrar resignation demand withdrawn; Vice-Chancellor Joshi retained temporarily until law amendment.
• Agreement reached after ICU negotiations at Seti Provincial Hospital involving government and Dr KC's representatives.

DHANGADHI, JULY 28 Senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC ended his 24th hunger strike on Monday after the government and his representatives reached a seven-point agreement on healthcare reforms and the operation of Shahid Dashrath Chand Health Sciences University. Dr KC broke his fast by drinking juice offered by 42-year-old Chakra Bahadur Dhami of Gaumul Rural Municipality–2 in Bajura. The agreement also brought an immediate end to protests that had continued in Dhangadhi in support of his demands. Dr KC had begun his fast-unto-death on July 23 at Krishna Mandir Dharamshala in Dhangadhi, pressing for reforms in medical education and healthcare and the prompt implementation of plans for the health sciences university in Sudurpashchim Province. His health deteriorated during the fast, prompting doctors to move him to the intensive care unit of Seti Provincial Hospital on July 25. The hospital said his blood pressure and blood sugar levels had fallen significantly and that he had developed other health complications. A four-member medical team monitored him round the clock. Negotiations began at Seti Provincial Hospital after government representatives met Dr KC in the ICU. The government team included Prime Minister Balen Shah's health adviser Dr JP Agrawal, Health and Food Safety Ministry Secretary Dr Bikash Devkota, and Education, Science and Technology Ministry Secretary Chudamani Paudel.

Dr KC's side was represented by Dr Amrit Jaisi and Dr Pawan Thapa. Rastriya Swatantra Party leader and House of Representatives member Pukar Bam also participated in the discussions, which were held at the office of Seti Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Hemraj Pandey. Dr Jaisi said the two sides had reached an agreement after talks held on Sunday and Monday. 'We have reached an agreement between the two negotiating teams. The draft was sent to the Prime Minister and the Education and Sports Minister for approval,' Dr Jaisi had said before the agreement was formally finalised. The agreement focuses on bringing Shahid Dashrath Chand Health Sciences University into operation without further delay. The government has committed to immediately begin the process of operating a 300-bed hospital, advertise the required posts and complete the necessary institutional procedures.

The two sides also agreed to accelerate preparations for medical education programmes and begin classes from the current academic session without disrupting the process already underway. Earlier, Dr KC's representatives had said the talks also addressed the status of university Registrar Dr Bhim Bahadur Chand and Vice-Chancellor Dr Sunil Prasad Joshi. Under the understanding reached during negotiations, Dr KC withdrew his demand for the registrar's resignation, helping clear the way for the final agreement. The government and Dr KC's team also agreed to retain Joshi temporarily to prevent disruption to the university's ongoing work. He is expected to remain in the position until the relevant law is amended by Parliament, after which a new vice-chancellor will be appointed through an open and competitive process. With Dr KC ending his fast, the focus will now shift to implementing the commitments made under the seven-point agreement.