Kathmandu.

The National Human Rights Commission has directed the government to hold talks with Dr. Govinda KC, as he is on a hunger strike for the 19th time vying for reforms in the state’s medical education.

The NHRC secretary Ved Prasad Bhattarai has commented that Dr. KC is fighting for a sensitive and pressing matter of concern. He further claimed that the commission shall always work for Dr. KC’s security as they had tried to get the attention of the government during his previous hunger strikes as well.

Dr. KC started the hunger strike 12 days back at Babaramasta Temple in Jumla. He was brought to Kathmandu on Tuesday as his health deteriorated. Levels of magnesium, potassium and glucose in his body, according to the authorities, are getting low. His demands include conducting MBBS classes at Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, and establishing at least one state-run hospital in each province of the nation.

In a video that has widely been circulated in social media, it has been shown that Dr. KC was forcibly taken out of the ambulance to the National Trauma Center. The move by the authorities was widely criticized by the public. Currently admitted at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, he has claimed that he would be continuing his hunger strike from there itself, until the government agreed to address his demands.