Dr Govinda KC gives government one-week ultimatum, threatens satyagraha

Medical education reform activist Professor Dr. Govinda KC has given the government one week to meet four demands, warning in a public statement issued Monday that he will resume his movement, including satyagraha, if the demands are not addressed within the deadline.

His demands include revoking the permission granted to Shahid Dashrath Chand Health Science University in Geta to run MBBS and nursing programs without adequate infrastructure and manpower. He has also demanded the annulment of the Medical Education Commission's decision to add seats at institutions including the Nepal Army Medical College, alleging a conflict of interest because commission vice-chair Dr. Devendra Khatri was affiliated with that same college before his appointment.

He has further demanded an impartial investigation into the role of commission and university officials, with dismissal for anyone found to have a conflict of interest, as well as immediate implementation of the agreement reached with the government on Sawan 11, 2083 during his 24th satyagraha.

Dr. KC said Geta Teaching Hospital, built to provide accessible, quality service to residents of Sudurpashchim, is still not operating at full capacity. He alleged there is a rush to launch academic programs that benefit private medical colleges and vested interest groups without first running the hospital at full capacity.