Talks on dean appointment row inconclusive
KATHMANDU, Jan 19: Several rounds of talks held on Sunday between the government and stakeholders including Tribuwan University (TU) and Nepal Medical Association (NMA) officials to resolve the dean appointment row at the Institute of Medicine (IOM) ended inconclusively.
"Talks so far have been positive but we failed to reach an agreement," said NMA Chairman Dr Anjani Kumar Jha, adding that the government has sought more time with the association to study the demands of the association and Dr KC.
"At present, we cannot say if there will be an agreement. So our protest will continue. They have demanded more time for studying the demand," said Dr Jha. He informed that the government officials have said they would study the demands forwarded by the association and may invite them for agreement anytime.
Earlier in the afternoon, the association held talks at the Ministry of Local Development with the representatives of the Ministry of Health and Population (MoH) and Ministry of Education (MoE).
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Dr Govinda KC on a fast-unto-death against the dean appointment. (Republica)
Likewise, a lengthy meeting was held at the Office of the Prime Minister regarding the IoM dean appointment row. The meeting participated by TU office bearers including Vice-chancellor, rector and registrar among others failed to reach any agreement.
Meanwhile, the NMA has warned to halt even the emergency services if the government did not fulfil the demands of Dr KC and the association.
Speaking at a press meet organized at the association´s office on Sunday afternoon Chairman Jha said that implementation of the seven-point demand forwarded by Dr KC is the bottomline of the association for resumption of health services.
"We have waited for seven days to resolve the issue through dialogue but they ignored us. We are compelled to launch nationwide strike," added Chairman Jha.
He argued that the association´s demand for exemption of five percent tax imposed on health centers is just. Dr Jha also demanded that the government should ensure free treatment to the poor, appoint more doctors at government hospitals and fix the fees for medical education.
At the call of NMA, government hospitals across the country remained closed on Sunday. Thousands of ailing patients who reached the hospitals were deprived of treatment. Several women were forced to give births at home and ailing patients were left without treatment. Although the association had called strike at all health centers, doctors of government hospitals provided services at privately-run health centers.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Council of Ministers Khila Raj Regmi said he has taken the issue seriously and is working to resolve the problems seen in the health institutions due to the ongoing fast-unto-death by Dr KC, Chairman Regmi´s Secretariat stated Sunday.
Refuting new reports by various media that quoted the president of Nepal Medical Association Dr Jha as saying that Chairman Regmi was equally responsible for the problems seen at the TUTH, the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers stated that Regmi was working with utmost seriousness toward resolving the dispute and the problems that have surfaced over the appointment of the dean at IoM and toward resumption of health services.
Minister Paudel orders TU to review dean appointment
Minister for Education Madhav Paudel on Sunday directed TU´s office bearers to rethink the decision to appoint new dean at IoM.
Sending a letter to TU Vice-chancellor Hira Bahadur Maharjan, Minister Paudel, called for reconsideration of the decision to appoint Dr Sashi Sharma as new dean. Minister Poudel is the co-chancellor of the university.
