Dr Govinda KC has refused to talk to Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli over the telephone saying his demands are widely known.
"I cannot talk. Let's not talk over the phone. You all know everything about my demands. Do work toward fulfilling them," Dr KC's associate at Jumla Kishore KC quoted the orthopedic surgeon as telling an official from the Prime Minister's Office who called the fasting doctor after the PM wanted to talk with him Monday morning.
The PMO, meanwhile, has said it has initiated indirect communication with Dr KC. Press Advisor to PM Oli Kundan Aryal said direct communication will also start soon. "PM has showed interest about him. We have started direct discussion with him," Aryal said. "PM is ready to talk about any issue apart from stopping affiliation and increasing the number of medical colleges," he added.
He revealed that PM Oli had asked the office-bearers of Nepal Medical Association to create an environment for dialogue with Dr KC during their meeting on Sunday. "You all create environment. I will talk with Dr KC with an open heart. There is no difficulty. But he must break his fast and come to Kathmandu," Aryal quoted PM Oli as saying.
Dr Govinda KC is into the 10th day of his fast-unto-death at the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences in Jumla demanding that the ordinance brought by the Deuba government be implemented as it is.
Dr KC has accused the government of bringing the bill to replace the ordinance with an intention of providing affiliation for medical college to four hospitals owned by businessmen close to the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN).
The ordinance stops establishment of new medical colleges in Kathmandu Valley for 10 years as demanded by Dr KC, limits granting of affiliation by a university to a maximum of five medical colleges, and allows affiliation to only those that have operated a hospital, taking permission from the Health Ministry, for three years among others.
