Kathmandu: Senior orthopedic surgeon and medical education reform campaigner Dr. Govinda KC has announced the start of a new satyagraha (hunger strike) in Dhangadhi from today, renewing his long-standing campaign for reforms in Nepal's health and medical education sectors.

Dr. KC began his protest at the Krishna Mandir Dharamshala in Dhangadhi, saying he had been compelled to resume his movement to oppose what he described as the government's attempts to privatize the health sector.

Objection to University Appointments
A key issue raised by Dr. KC is the recent appointment of officials at the Shaheed Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences in Geta, Kailali.

He alleges that appointing individuals with links to private medical colleges creates a conflict of interest and undermines efforts to reform public medical education.

Dr. KC has demanded that the government replace the recently appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Sunil Kumar Joshi, and Registrar Dr. Bhim Bahadur Chand with experienced professionals who have no conflict of interest and possess strong expertise in the medical field.

Major Demands
Dr. KC's latest satyagraha includes several demands, including:
-Replacing the current university leadership with independent and qualified professionals.
-Revoking decisions or proposals to reduce medical education scholarships.
‍-Stopping the expansion of seats in private medical colleges that do not meet required standards and infrastructure.
-Enforcing existing legal provisions to ensure medical education remains a non-profit sector.
-‍Fully implementing agreements reached with previous governments regarding medical education reforms.
-Protecting healthcare rights for citizens living in border and remote areas.

Conducting an impartial investigation into vandalism and violence that occurred during protests on Bhadra 23 and 24, and bringing those responsible to justice.

Concern Over Healthcare Access
Dr. KC argued that recent policy decisions could weaken healthcare access, particularly for people living in remote regions, and said the government must remain committed to protecting citizens' constitutional right to quality healthcare.

Shift from Darchula to Dhangadhi
Dr. KC had originally planned to launch his satyagraha from the Byas region of Darchula. However, he said the plan had to be changed after Indian security authorities allowed him to remain in the area for only five days, while his health condition made it difficult to travel through the Nepali route.

Before arriving in Dhangadhi, he spent several days in Darchula operating a free health camp, providing medical services to residents of remote communities.

This marks another chapter in Dr. Govinda KC's long-running series of hunger strikes, through which he has repeatedly pressed successive governments to implement reforms aimed at improving the quality, accessibility and transparency of Nepal's healthcare and medical education systems.