Dr Govinda KC's hunger strike against irregularities in medical sector has reached third day on Tuesday.
The government, however, has not paid attention to Dr KC's demands so far. Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, who talked Dr KC into ending his previous hunger strike, is silent.
Dr KC, admired by many for his honesty and selflessness, is a senior professor at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) and this is the fifth time he is on a fast-unto-death. He says he will not end his strike this time unless the government implements all past agreements reached with him.
In the past, the government had agreed to grant the Institute of Medicine (IoM) affiliations to new medical colleges only after passing a health policy. But, the government initiated the IoM affiliation process, prompting Dr KC into launching the fifth hunger strike.
On the third day of his hunger strike, Dr KC showed early signs of urine and chest problems and headache. Dr Dibya Singh Shah, who is in charge of a medical team attending to Dr KC, however, said: "Everything else is normal."
Despite deteriorating health and doctors' advice, Dr KC on Tuesday spoke to journalists about why he felt the need to start the fifth hunger strike.
"It looks difficult to figure out who is a politician and who is a medical mafia," he said. "Political leaders responsible for writing a new constitution are busy serving the interests of medical mafia. My hunger strike is against all of them."
Dr KC accused Prime Minister Koirala of working hand in glove with medical mafia to grant the IoM affiliations to new medical colleges that do not meet certain standards. He asked: "What kinds of doctor will we get if medical colleges obtain the IoM affiliations by bribing authorities?"
Dr KC has also demanded that the government take actions against those found guilty in corruption cases, stop political interferences in the IoM and establish medical colleges in rural areas, among others.
In 2011, Dr KC started sitting in hunger strike after the IoM entrance exam questions papers were found to be leaked. He demanded actions against all those who were found guilty of selling question papers. He later launched another hunger strike when the government handpicked the IoM officials.
This time, Dr KC looks more concerned about granting the IoM affiliations to new medical colleges that do not meet basic requirements. He says such medical colleges will not produce capable doctors and people's health will be under risk.
He has demanded a policy that will outline prerequisites of a medical college. Under pressure by Dr KC's strike, the government has formed a committee to prepare such a policy. But, he had to sit in another hunger strike after Prime Minister Koirala paved the way for medical colleges to get the IoM affiliations without endorsing a policy.