Kathmandu, November 9

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today assured Dr Govinda KC that he would make efforts to ensure authentication of the Medical Education Ordinance.

The Cabinet had endorsed the Medical Education Ordinance on October 23 and forwarded it to the president for authentication.

“The prime minister has also assured Dr KC that the Institute of Medicine would be given back its rights. He also said that he would direct Tribhuvan University Vice-chancellor Tirtha Raj Khaniya to immediately file a petition seeking to vacate the Supreme Court’s interim order regarding affiliation granted to Kathmandu National Medical College,” said Dr Abhishek Raj Singh, a member of Dr KC’s team.

Meanwhile, the president’s personal secretary Bhesh Raj Adhikari said the president needed more time to study the ordinance. “The president is consulting her advisers. Had it been a bill passed by the Parliament, it would have been certified within 15 days. But there is no time limit for the president to approve the ordinance. Discussion is necessary.”

The Ministry of Education has not yet responded to the right to information petition filed by Dr KC. He had filed an RTI petition seeking to know the status of the ordinance. “We were told that we would be given information today, but we have received no response so far,” said Singh.

In the petition Dr KC had also demanded a copy of the letter sent by the education ministry to Nepal Medical Council to grant affiliation to KNMC, decision made by the Supreme Court on KNMC, documents related to the medical college at the ministry, and the name, designation and responsibilities of officials involved in taking the decision.

Dr KC has been protesting against irregularities in the medical sector and has threatened to launch fresh hunger strike if no action is taken on his demands.