Dr Govinda KC has started his 19th fast-unto-death in Jumla on Monday with a six-point demand including immediate start of MBBS program in the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences completing necessary infrastructure and human resources.
"I have started the fast without informing anyone as I have faced obstructions here repeatedly stopping me from walking and treating patients," Dr KC told Setopati after starting the fast at Babira Mast temple in Singhachaur near Jumla Bazar.
KC, who has been in Jumla before the start of nationwide lockdown in March, has been providing free treatment to patients in the remote district in Karnali.
The other demands include start of classes in Geta Medical College and Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, and start of process to start government medical colleges in Province 2, Gandaki province, Doti or Dadeldhura, Udayapur, and Ilam or Panchthar.
He has also demanded correction of appointments made at the Institute of Medicine (IOM) under the Tribhuvan University violating seniority, and legislation to ensure fair and transparent appointment at universities, councils, academies and other bodies as per the recommendation of the committee to set standards for such appointments.
He has demanded regular budget for Bayalpata Hospital to ensure sustainable free service, and investigation and action in corruption cases including Rajya Laxmi Golchha corruption scam, procurement of land for the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), procurement of wide-body planes, security printing press, land in Baluwatar and Durbar Marga, and procurement of medical supplies by Omni Group among others.
He has also called for making use of face mask and social distancing mandatory, and expansion of PCR testing to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and gradually stop lockdown and prohibitory orders.
