Kathmandu, July 5

The National Human Rights Commission today said its attention was drawn to the deteriorating health condition of Dr Govinda KC, who has been on a fast-unto-death in Jumla district since June 30.

Acknowledging memorandum submitted by Nepal Medical Association and Nepal Student Union separately, NHRC Chairperson Anup Raj Sharma said that the rights body was concerned about Dr KC’s health and urged the government to implement the past agreements reached with the agitating doctor on issues related to medical education.

Sharma also said that the government should form a talks team immediately to hold dialogue with Dr KC. “NHRC office in Jumla has been monitoring the health condition of Dr KC on a regular basis. Monitoring reports say that his health condition is getting worse and even the covered hall of the district headquarters, where the doctor is on hunger strike, is not appropriate given his poor health condition,” a press release issued by the NHRC informed.

On July 2, the rights body had sent a letter to District Administration Office, Jumla, requesting it to relocate Dr KC’s protest spot and make necessary arrangements for his medical treatment.

“The NHRC urges the government to implement the agreements it reached with Dr KC in the past by demonstrating seriousness to the health-related human rights issues raised by him,” it said.

The rights body has also appealed to all concerned not to call strike in health facilities over the 16th hunger strike of Dr KC. He has put forth a seven-point demand, including removal of alterations made in the Medical Education Ordinance Replacement Bill.

Dr KC has also raised the issue of delay in admission of students in Karnali Academy of Health Sciences for MBBS course.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Population has dispatched a medical team to Jumla for treatment of Dr KC. According an official at the ministry, the team of Dr JeevanThapa and Dr SubhashSubedi had reached the district today.

Dr Lochan Karki, general secretary of Nepal Medical Association, said the cause of rapid deterioration of Dr KC’s health condition was the venue where he was forced to stage the protest.

“Dr KC was forced to stage the protest inside the district covered hall, which was ‘damp and dirty’ and was not habitable,” said Dr Karki.