A meeting of department heads at the Institute of Medicine (IoM) held on Tuesday has decided not to grant new affiliations to proposed medical colleges this year. The decision has come amidst pressure created by Dr Govinda KC, who is on a fast-unto-death since last Saturday. Annulment of the affiliations granted to new medical colleges is one of Dr KC’s major demands.

The dean’s office at IoM has called a meeting of heads of department to find a way to persuade Dr KC to withdraw his ongoing hunger strike. “A meeting of department heads has decided not to grant new affiliations this year,” said Dr Sashi Sharma, newly appointed dean of IoM, adding that his office will never grant any new permission under the existing circumstances.

Responding to queries from journalists at a program held in the capital on Tuesday, Dr Sharma claimed that he too was fully in agreement with the demands forwarded by Dr KC.

“I am capable, I have seniority and I’ve been serving for the last 28 years, and the executive council of Tribhuvan University has reposed trust in my capabilities. So it has appointed me,” said Dr Sharma. He further claimed that he has never taken membership of any political party and the allegation that his appointment was political was baseless.

“I have tried a lot to talk to Dr KC but he has refused to respond,” he said adding, “Give me just three months and I will fulfill most of the demands of Dr KC.” He said that he would resign if he cannot fulfill the genuine demands forwarded by Dr KC. “I am ready to work out criteria for appointing the new dean and I will submit a master plan to develop IoM as a medical university,” he said.

He said he would quit IoM if he is compelled to resign under pressure and not given a chance to prove his ability.

Nepal Medical Association (NMA) Chairman Dr Anjani Kumar Jha said that NMA supported the demands pressed by Dr KC. “We had supported the issues raised by Dr KC in the past and support him this time also, as we think that they are genuine,” he said. NMA Chairman Jha demanded of officials concerned at TU’s executive council to explain the process for the appointment of new deans.

Dr Kedar Narsing KC, ex-chairman of NMA, demanded that the authorities concerned be serious about saving Dr KC’s life.

Dr Sundarmani Dixit, the noted medical professional, said that all the demands forwarded by Dr KC are genuine. Dr Dixit, however, said he was against the hunger strike as that causes trouble for a lot of hospital patients. “Dr KC has set off an atom bomb over a minor issue. We are all against political interference in our institutions and it is nothing new, but making a mess of the hospital is wrong,” he said.

Meanwhile, students persuing the MBBS and higher degrees such as MD submitted a letter to the chairman of the council of ministers to draw attention to Dr KC’s worsening condition. About 200 students and their professors reached the the prime minister’s official residence at Baluwatar to submit the letter. “We have submitted the paper at his secretariat,” said Dr Sudarshan Adhikari, who is active in a movement to save Dr KC’s life.

Dr KC’s health critical
Doctors at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) who are involved in Dr KC’s treatment said his condition has become critical. They informed that his condition further deteriorated on Tuesday. Acetone, which is generally spotted in conditions of extreme starvation, was detected in his blood on Monday.

“Oxygen has been supplied, fluids have been given and emergency drugs administered to Dr KC to stop further deteriorating of his condition,” Dr Adhikari said.

According to him, the heart beat and breathing rate have risen fast. Dr KC is under 24-hour supervision by doctors, and an ECG machine and other equipment have been used to keep track of his vital functions. “His condition has been worsening fast. We may have to shift him to the ICU any time,” Dr Adhikari added.

Dr KC, a senior professor at IoM Maharajgung Campus, started his hunger strike against the appointment of a new dean at IoM. He is adamant about not ending his fast until his five-point demand is met.

TU former VCs urge Dr KC to end fast
Meanwhile, former vice-chancellors (VCs) of TU have urged Dr KC to end his ongoing hunger strike and change his method of protest.

Issuing a press statement on Tuesday, the former VCs have asked TU officials to withdraw decisions taken under internal and external political pressure, which is against the interest of the institution. They have also asked them not to bow to such pressure in future.

The statement is signed by former VCs Mahesh Kumar Upadhya, Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Dr Kamal Krishna Joshi, Nabin Prakash Jung Shah, Dr Govinda Sharma and Dr Madhav Prasad Sharma.

source:republica,14 jan 2014