KC ends hunger strike as Sayami named IoM dean

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KATHMANDU: The Tribhuvan University on Saturday appointed Prof Dr Prakash Sayami the new dean of Institute of Medicine (IoM), paving the way to end hunger strike of Prof Dr Govinda KC and resume the services of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH).

Demanding non-partisan and merit-based appointments in the IoM, Prof KC, who heads the orthopaedic department at TUTH, resorted to fast-unto-death afresh six days ago.

Drinking juice from the hand of 15-year-old Prithvi BK of Nawalparasi, one of his patients, Prof KC ended his hunger strike shortly after at 4 pm this afternoon, our correspondent Laxmi Maharjan informed from the TUTH, Maharajgunj.

Prof KC thanked all for supporting the cause, and expressed his hope that now onwards appointments at other insitutions will also be made apolitically and based on merit.

To show solidarity to the cause, the doctors at TUTH had shut down the medical services at the hospital.

Also, the Nepal Medical Association had announced on Friday that it would halt the services at the all medical institutions across the country on Saturday and Sunday to exert pressure on the government to save Prof KC's life.

After the retirement of Prof Dr Kumud Kumar Kafle, the TU had named Prof Dr Dharma Kanta Banskota as the new dean some days ago.

Prof KC, however, continued the hunger strike to press for the appointment of new dean and other officials at the IOM — two assistant deans, campus chief and assistant campus chief at the IoM — on the basis of seniority, not on the ground of political affiliation.

On July 8, Prof Kafle was appointed the IOM’s dean in the midst of the hunger strike that Prof KC had launched earlier, demanding merit-based appointments at the IOM and disciplinary action against institute officials found guilty of corruption.

Prof KC resumed his strike after the TU management board refused to follow Prof Kafle’s recommendation.