KATHMANDU, July 25: The health condition of Dr Govinda KC, who is on his 24th hunger strike in Dhangadhi demanding reforms in medical education and the health sector, deteriorated on Saturday, forcing doctors to admit him to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Seti Provincial Hospital.
Dr KC was rushed to the hospital after his blood sugar level dropped to a dangerously low level during the third day of his fast at Krishna Temple Dharamshala in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City-1, Kailali.
According to Dr Amrit Jaisi, an aide to Dr KC, the senior orthopedic surgeon experienced muscle cramps in his hands and legs and had difficulty speaking. A medical examination conducted on Saturday morning found his blood sugar level had fallen to 50.
Dr KC ends his 24-day-long hunger strike
Dr Jaisi said the level dropped further to 49 after Dr KC was admitted to the ICU. A medical team led by Dr Gajendra Duwal at Seti Provincial Hospital examined him and recommended immediate ICU admission, warning that his condition could deteriorate further.
Meanwhile, the government has expressed concern over Dr KC's hunger strike. Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel said the government was positive about addressing his demands.
Pokharel spoke by telephone with Dr Jaisi on Friday evening while Dr KC was resting and later held a direct conversation with Dr KC at around 11 pm.
According to Dr Jaisi, the minister assured Dr KC that the government was committed to addressing his demands and would form a dialogue team. He also expressed his willingness to travel to Dhangadhi if necessary.
Among his five-point demands, Dr KC has called for the immediate operation of a 300-bed hospital at Martyr Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences, the launch of MBBS and other medical education programs from the current academic session, and the cancellation of the appointments of the university's vice-chancellor and registrar, alleging they were made despite conflicts of interest.
Dr KC began his 24th hunger strike on Thursday at Krishna Temple Dharamshala, accusing the government of policy failures in the medical education and health sectors and demanding better governance and accountability.
