Not giving two hoots to a government directive to the Office of TU Vice-Chancellor to review an earlier decision to appoint a new dean at the Institute of Medicine, a team of Tribhuvan University officials instead today approached Dr Govinda KC, who has been on a fast-unto-death for the last 10 days with several demands, including the resignation of newly appointed IoM Dean Dr Shashi Sharma, to request him to end his hunger strike.

Dr KC, no matter how frail he is after the 10-day-long fast, however, stood firm on his demands and refused to oblige.

His health has deteriorated further, according to one of the doctors attending on him. “Dr KC is feeling drowsy and his blood pressure is on the lower side,” said Dr Divya Singh. If the blood pressure deteriorates further, Dr KC will have to be shifted to the ICU, said Dr Singh.

The TU officials called on Dr KC with TU VC Hira Bahadur Maharjan’s letter, which said ‘the new dean has been appointed following due legal process’ and that the fast-unto-death staged by Dr KC was affecting the lives of many people, as hospitals have remained shut across the country. Doctors across the country are on a strike in support of Dr KC. “Dr KC refused our request to end his hunger strike,” said TU Registrar Chandramani Poudel.

AHRC urges Dr Sharma to quit
The Asian Human Rights Commission on Monday urged Dr Shashi Sharma to step down as the dean of the Institute of Medicine on moral and legal grounds. In a statement, the rights body said the AHRC was also concerned as the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has been investigating into graft charges against Dr Sharma. The AHRC also expressed concerned about Dr Govinda KC’s health.

NHRC objects to shutdown
The National Human Rights Commission said on Monday the strike in the medical sector has violated Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic and Social Rights, which ensures the rights of the people to get medical services.The NHRC stated that the doctors have breached the Consumer Protection Act and Essential Service Act.

source: the himalayan times,20 jan 2014