Fasting Nepali doctor's condition worsens, supporters clash with police

Supporters of a senior surgeon whose fast unto death seeking reforms in Nepals medical education system entered the 23rd day on Tuesday clashed with security personnel as his condition deteriorated.

Supporters of Dr Govinda K.C. scuffled with security personnel when they tried to enter into the prohibited zone outside Parliament Building in Baneshwor, Kathmandu, and were prevented from doing so.

The agitating supporters of the fasting doctor continued their protest here demanding the government address the demands raised by K.C. and take initiatives to end his fast, reported Kathmandu Post.

The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has warned that it will resort to protests if the government fails to create an environment to end the hunger strike of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital senior surgeon K.C. by holding decisive dialogue.

The fast-unto-death by K.C. is his 11th so far, seeking reforms in Nepal's medical education system. The fast entered the 23rd day - the longest so far by him.

Meanwhile, the fasting doctor fell unconscious twice on Tuesday.

His health condition deteriorated after his blood pressure went down suddenly, the Post reported.

The senior orthopaedic surgeon's pressure was brought to normal by using resuscitation technique.

The heartbeat of K.C. is also fluctuating, doctors said.

Physicians at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, where he is staging hunger strike, say he is in critical condition.

The NMA renewed its warning to the government.

"We will be forced to take stern steps to save the life of Dr KC," said NMA Chairman Mukti Ram Shrestha, "His health condition has worsened as the government failed to facilitate the talks in a decisive manner."

--IANS

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