KATHMANDU: Officials at the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) have accused the Minister of Health and Population of inciting the Bir Hospital strike. “Bir Hospital strike was just a ploy of the Minister for Health and Population to sack the present NAMS team,” Shree Krishna Giri, Rector, NAMS, said, addressing an interaction programme here today.

He further blamed that the Minister formed an ad-hoc committee under his own leadership to probe into the failure of NAMS' performance. He also charged the officials of financial embezzlement in the procurement of a Gamma camera and irregularities in recruiting employees at NAMS.

Giri further informed that they were asked to clarify why they failed to perform their duty. “However, we're not going to give any clarification, which is beyond our purview," said Giri, adding that their duty and responsibilities are explicit in NAMS' regulation. According to existing legal provisions, vice chancellor of an academic institution can only be sacked by an impeachment proposal passed by the senate. "The resident doctors have been influenced by the minister for organising the protest programmes," said Giri, adding, "They came all of a sudden and padlocked our office without any prior notice." Dr Dhirga Raj RC, Director, Bir Hospital, warned: "If the culture of sacking the older team continues with the formation of new government, the failure of NAMS is certain.” He adding that the protest was politically motivated. The director has urged the government to immediately stop what he said 'direct political interference' and help them provide service to needy.