Kathmandu, October 29
Medical education reform campaigner Dr Govinda KC has begun his 25th hunger strike in Ilam, accusing the government of failing to address his demands despite an extended deadline.
KC began the fast-unto-death at Narayan Temple in Ilam at 5 pm on Thursday, October 29, 2083, according to the Nepali calendar.
“I am announcing the start of my hunger strike from 5 pm today, as the government has failed to address our demands even within the extended deadline,” KC said in a statement. “The government itself will be responsible for any adverse consequences arising from this.”
KC has called for reforms to ensure the quality of medical education, impartial regulation and the effective operation of public health institutions. He maintains that medical education should not be treated as a vehicle for commercial interests.
“Medical education is not a tool for commercial interests. It is a service directly connected to citizens’ health and lives. No compromise can be accepted on its quality, impartial regulation or the effective operation of public institutions,” he said.
Dispute over medical education standards
In his statement, KC expressed serious concern over the Medical Education Commission’s decision to permit MBBS and nursing programmes at the Shahid Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences in Geta from the current academic session, despite what he alleges are shortcomings in infrastructure and academic staffing. He also objected to increases in student quotas at various educational institutions.
KC questioned the impartiality of the commission’s decisions, citing the appointment of its current vice-chairperson, who previously served as principal of Nepal Army Medical College, and the subsequent increase in seats at that institution.
He also raised concerns over the alleged appointment of a family member of the vice-chairperson to a committee responsible for determining student quotas and the vacancy in the commission’s director position, which carries important responsibilities in the quota allocation process. He called for an independent investigation into the appointments, qualifications, professional experience and decisions of relevant officials.
KC said the Geta medical college and teaching hospital, built through public resources and years of campaigning, had still not been brought into full operation despite more than half a decade having passed since construction was completed.
He argued that allowing academic programmes to begin without the required infrastructure, legal compliance and qualified teaching staff could compromise the quality of medical education and put public health at risk.
Six demands
KC has put forward six major demands, including the cancellation of decisions he considers inconsistent with medical education standards.
He has demanded that the approval to operate MBBS and nursing programmes at Geta without meeting minimum requirements, along with quota increases at colleges that allegedly fail to meet prescribed standards, be withdrawn.
He has also called for the suspension of the Medical Education Commission’s vice-chairperson and the vice-chancellor and registrar of the university concerned, pending an independent, high-level investigation into their appointments, qualifications, possible conflicts of interest and decisions. He has demanded legal action against anyone found guilty.
Another key demand is the immediate operation of the Geta teaching hospital at full capacity, with academic programmes introduced only after the necessary infrastructure, personnel and legal requirements are in place.
KC has called for strict enforcement of the provision requiring at least 75 per cent of seats to be allocated as scholarships at institutions receiving public or government funding. He has also opposed any reduction in scholarships or increases in student quotas that do not meet the required standards.
His demands further include the full implementation of an agreement reached with the government on June 25, covering reforms in health and education, good governance and social justice, as well as commitments relating to investigations into arson, looting and vandalism across the country on September 9, 2025.
KC has also urged the government to expedite plans to establish government medical colleges or health science academies in Ilam, Udayapur and Dadeldhura. He wants the decision to scrap the Bardibas Medical College project in Madhesh Province reversed and construction resumed.
Previous agreement remains unimplemented
KC said the government had reached an agreement with him on June 25 during his 24th hunger strike, including commitments related to the operation of the Geta teaching hospital and the appointment of officials in the medical education sector.
However, he alleged that the government had failed to implement the agreement over the intervening months and had instead taken decisions contrary to its spirit.
He also warned that moves to reduce scholarship provisions and increase student quotas without meeting required standards could favour the commercial interests of private medical colleges.
KC said the failure to operate public institutions such as the Geta teaching hospital at full capacity disproportionately affects people in Sudurpaschim Province, many of whom must travel to Nepalgunj, Kathmandu or India for treatment.
He argued that expanding public medical education institutions and ensuring access to quality healthcare were essential to reducing the financial and geographical barriers that prevent people from receiving timely treatment.
