Tribhuvan University (TU) Registrar Chandra Mani Poudel has said they will not make any haste to appoint a new dean at the Institute of Medicine (IoM). 

TU was forced to sack the recently appointed IoM dean , Dr Sashi Sharma, last week as pressure mounted on the university and the government after the death fast started by Dr Govinda KC of TU Teaching Hospital against the appointment triggered series of protests and hospital closures in other parts of the country.

“We appointed a dean and he was made a scapegoat. We are taking time to let off the steam from all the protests and disputes regarding the appointment,” Poudel said.

For the time being, Poudel said, TU is preparing to depute an acting dean . 

After 14 days in hunger strike, Dr KC ended his fast on Friday after the government gave its commitment to fulfill three of his major demands, including the appointment of IoM officials based on meritocracy and seniority.  The agitating doctors and health institutions also withdrew their protests in the wake.  

The government has also agreed to form a committee to propose three possible dean ’s candidates to the TU executive committee for final approval and agreed in principle to study feasibility on providing autonomy to the Institute of Medicine (IoM) and stop granting affiliations to new medical colleges. 

“I am firm in my demands. The dean has to be appointed from among the senior professors,” said Dr KC.  

source: the kathmandu post,29 jan 2014