KATHMANDU: The government and agitating Dr Govinda KC have inked a six-point agreement on Friday night, ending his 25th hunger strike.

With this, Dr KC ended his 25th hunger strike which he had started from Ilam. Minister for Education and Sports, Sasmit Pokharel, signed the deal with Dr KC and broke his hunger strike reaching the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital on Friday night.

On the occasion, Minister Pokharel shared, “It is the last hunger strike of Dr KC. Agreement signed with Dr KC will be implemented.”

Dr KC, Minister Pokharel, Prime Minister’s Health Advisor, Prof Dr Jagadish Agrawal, lawmaker Pukar Bam and President of Nepal Medical Association, Dr Badri Rijal, signed the deal.

As per the agreement, permission would be granted to Martyr Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences, for running educational programmes including MBBS in accordance with decision of Medical Education Commission of October 16 and seats would be determined.

An agreement has been reached to form a five-member study committee under coordination of Prof Dr Ramesh Prasad Acharya to determine whether the decision to increase seats in MBBS at Army Medical College (Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences) was in accordance with criteria. The committee would submit the report to the government.

Similarly, the two sides agreed to bring the office-bearers of Commission, university and medical college under the ambit of law if conflict of interest is found arisen while granting permission of educational programme or increasing seats, according to the Ministry.

Likewise, a process would be put forward to issue ordinance from cabinet within two weeks by making necessary amendment to Martyr Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences Act, 2082 on the issues of qualification and appointment of office-bearers in the University.

The government also agreed to implement the remaining points of the deal signed with Dr KC on July 27 during his 24th hunger strike in letter and spirit.

A taskforce would be formed incorporating Chief Advisor to the Education Ministry, Shailendra Jha, one joint-secretary of the Ministry from the government side while Bijay Babu Siwakoti, Dr Amrit Jaisi from the side of Dr KC to monitor the implementation of the agreement.

Lawmaker Pukar Bam and President of Nepal Medical Association, Dr Badri Rijal, are also in the taskforce.

A process would be initiated immediately to establish and operate medical college in Bardibas, as per the agreement.