Kathmandu, January 25

Senior orthopaedic surgeon and medical activist Dr Govinda KC has demanded resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after the House of Representatives endorsed the controversial National Medical Education Bill without accommodating his demands.

He said the government had failed to implement the deal that the PM had reached with him on July 26. The agreement stated that the government would accommodate Dr KC’s demands in the bill. Dr KC had ended his 15th fast-unto-death after signing the agreement.

“The PM has veered away from a decision he took in the past. He must resign immediately on moral grounds,” Dr KC said in a statement issued today. He added, “The PM’s decision-making process has been affected by his health and medicines that he is taking.”

Dr KC is staging his 16th hunger strike, which started on January 9.

During a press conference organised today at Ganeshman Singh Bhawan of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, where Dr KC is staging hunger strike, it was stated that Dr KC’s strike would continue as the majority of his demands had not been accommodated in the bill endorsed today.

The press conference was conducted by Dr Jivan Chhetri as Dr KC is not in a condition to speak because of his frail health.

The passage of the bill, according to Dr KC, implies that the ruling Nepal Communist Party has betrayed all citizens, who have a right to gain access to quality healthcare.

Talking to THT, Surendra Bhandari, senior advocate, said the decision of the House of Representatives was not final. “The bill will be tabled in the National Assembly, which can ask the lower House to make necessary changes. There are chances that Dr KC’s demands can still be fulfilled.”