Kathmandu, January 31

The medical team attending senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC, who is on his 16th fast-unto-death for the last 23 days at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital has advised transferring the agitating doctor to intensive care unit.

Dr KC has been complaining of frequent chest pain and breathing difficulty.

A statement released by the medical team today stated, “Dr KC has been given supplemental oxygen. His glucose, potassium and calcium are on lower side and his health condition gradually deteriorating.” It also said that Dr KC had refused to get admitted to ICU or take any electrolyte replacements.

In a short media briefing held today evening at TUTH, doctors said that an ‘accident’ could occur anytime if Dr KC was not transferred to ICU soon.”

Meanwhile, former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba visited Dr KC at TUTH immediately after the National Assembly passed the National Medical Education Bill today. NC leader Gagan Thapa also visited the hospital to take stock of Dr KC’s health condition.

Deuba told Dr KC that the NC was ethically tied with the medical education bill and urged him not to put his life at stake as the government was not concerned about his life. Dr KC, however, said he would continue his hunger strike.

Meanwhile, members of Solidarity for Dr KC Alliance have urged people of all professions to start playing a constructive role in support of Dr KC. They have urged the general public to  join the protest programmes to be held at Maitighar  on Saturday.

“Some provisions of the National Medical Education Act serve the interest of a particular group. Such an act will only promote corruption,” a press release issued by the alliance stated.