Kathmandu, July 16

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba today warned that the government would have to take responsibility for any untoward incident related to Dr Govinda KC, who is on a hunger strike.

Dr KC, who has been on a hunger strike in Jumla since June 30, has demanded that the National Medical Education Bill be tabled in the Parliament with the provisions from the previous ordinance.

In a press statement, NC President Deuba said he was concerned as the government was not serious about addressing Dr KC’s demands through dialogue even as Dr KC’s health deteriorates by the day. Stating that it was the government’s responsibility to save Dr KC’s life, Deuba said, “The previous government I had led had issued the Medical Education Bill through an Ordinance with  view to reforming the health and medical education sector. It is my conclusion that the issue can be resolved logically by presenting the Medical Education Bill based on the one issued by the NC-led government, which incorporated recommendations furnished by the Mathema Commission and experts.”

Deuba also said the government’s reluctance to take prompt action to address Dr KC’s demands had created doubts about the government’s intention.