KATHMANDU: Dr Govinda KC today began his seventh fast-unto-death, demanding that the 11-point agreement he reached with the government be implemented in its entirety.

“I decided to go on the strike today at 4:00 pm, as yesterday’s Cabinet took the decision with regard to the formation of Health Professionals’ Education Council, MBBS course fee and Letter of Intent to medical, nursing and dental colleges in contravention of the agreement we reached with the government.”

He claimed that if the Cabinet decision is not corrected, the Health Professionals’ Education Council cannot work with the institutions under the Ministry of Health and Population in a coordinated manner.

Dr KC has also reiterated that the Health Professionals’ Education Council should not be given political colour while selecting its members. He said Health Professionals’ Education Council should be headed by the prime minister, not education minister, as per the agreement.

The Cabinet had decided to form an 18-member commission under the leadership of education minister, not to renew the Letter of Intent of medical, dental and nursing colleges in the Kathmandu Valley and gradually reduce the number of MBBS seats to 135 in 2015-16, 115 in 2016-17 and 100 in 2017-18. The total maximum fee for MBBS course was fixed at Rs 3.5 million. But the government said that the HPEC may revise the fee structure every two years in line with price hike.

Dr KC alleged that the government has altered some points in the agreement.