Kathmandu, January 17

Nepali Congress leader Gagan Thapa today urged Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to take immediate action to save the life of medical reformist Dr Govinda KC, who is staging 16th fast-unto-death in Ilam for the past nine days.

Dr KC is staging the hunger strike demanding that the government pass the National Medical Education Bill as per the agreement made between him and the government on April 23 which had ended his 27-day 15th hunger strike.

Organising a press meet, lawmaker Thapa, also a former health minister, urged the PM to take a wise decision to save Dr KC’s life.

Stating that Dr KC’s health was rapidly deteriorating, he suggested to the PM and lawmakers to pass the National Medical Education Bill as per the agreement with Dr KC.

National Medical Education Bill was recently endorsed by the Education and Health Committee of the House of Representatives.

Four NC lawmakers had written a note a dissent against the bill, which is likely to be tabled in the Parliament within the next few days.

“A powerful prime minister commanding two-thirds majority in the Parliament still has time to right the wrongs until it’s too late,” said Thapa.

Issuing a press release, Thapa stated that the bill allowed medical colleges that had already acquired the letter of intent to operate outside Kathmandu valley, while the government in the agreement with Dr KC had pledged to form a medical education commission to decide if those colleges should be allowed to operate.

Stating that Dr KC was neither a communist nor a supporter of Nepali Congress, Thapa said that his voice should be respected by all.