DHANGADHI: Demanding reforms in the medical education and healthcare sector, Dr. Govinda KC has announced that he will restart his hunger strike in Dhangadhi starting Thursday.

He is set to begin the hunger strike from the guest house of the Krishna Temple in Dhangadhi.

Accusing the government of trying to push the health sector toward privatization, Dr. KC stated that he is staging the hunger strike to prevent it.

He has put forward a 7-point demand to end anomalies in the health sector and ensure citizens’ right to health.

Dr. KC expressed serious objection to the appointment of individuals with financial investments in private medical institutions at the Shahid Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences in Geta, Kailali.

He demanded that the appointments of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of the university be canceled, and that experienced, competent individuals without conflicts of interest be given these responsibilities.

On July 15, the government had appointed Prof. Dr. Sunil Kumar Joshi as the Vice-Chancellor and Dr. Bhim Bahadur Chand as the Registrar of the Shahid Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences.

Furthermore, Dr. KC demanded the immediate withdrawal of decisions to reduce scholarships through the Medical Education Commission and to increase seats in private medical colleges without meeting the necessary standards and infrastructure. Implementing legal provisions to make medical education completely non-profit is another key demand.

He has also urged the government to implement past written agreements, ensure the right to health for citizens living in border areas, and conduct an impartial investigation into the vandalism and violence that occurred during the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9, bringing the guilty to justice.

Dr. KC emphasized that vigilance is required against ongoing attempts to curtail the healthcare rights of citizens living in remote regions.

Previously, Dr. KC had planned to start his hunger strike from the Byas area in Darchula, but he returned to Dhangadhi after failing to secure a long-term entry permit from Indian security authorities.

He stated that due to his health conditions, traveling to Byas through Nepali territory was difficult, and being denied permission to use the Indian route forced him to turn back.

According to Dr. KC, he arrived in Dhangadhi for the hunger strike after conducting a free health camp for a few days in Darchula to check the health of local residents.