The Government of Nepal has responded to Prof. Dr. Govinda KC’s demands concerning medical education reforms and his reported hunger strike, reaffirming its commitment to improving medical education governance and accessibility. In a press release dated Kartik 16, 2083 BS, the Ministry of Education and Sports stated that Dr. KC’s concerns had drawn its attention and that it remained sensitive to the issues he had raised. Addressing his first demand, the ministry said preparations were underway to operate MBBS, nursing and other academic programmes at Shahid Dasharath Chand Health Sciences University in Geta, Kailali, after completing the necessary infrastructure, technical manpower and legal requirements. The ministry also stated that the university’s establishment was approved on the recommendation of the Medical Education Commission and that the relevant legislation had been prepared.

Regarding Dr. KC’s second and third demands, the ministry stated that it would arrange necessary student scholarships for the concerned officeholders and was working to strengthen the institutional and legal framework of Shahid Dasharath Chand Health Sciences University. The government noted that the university’s operation would require approximately 300 teaching and administrative positions, with around 200 posts already approved and additional positions under consideration. It also reported progress toward amending the university’s governing legislation to strengthen appointment procedures, ensure institutional accountability and improve administrative effectiveness. The ministry emphasized that scholarship quotas, medical education quality standards and academic regulations were being implemented through the Medical Education Commission and relevant legal provisions.

The ministry further addressed the implementation of previous agreements with Dr. KC, including the 10-point agreement reached on Shrawan 11, 2083 BS. It stated that a study committee had been formed through a ministerial-level decision on Shrawan 27, 2083 BS, to examine the implementation status of earlier commitments and prepare a draft report. The ministry also referred to efforts to establish and expand medical education institutions in Surkhet, Butwal and Bardibas, including infrastructure development and additional budget arrangements. It maintained that efforts were continuing to expand access to medical education across all seven provinces.

The ministry acknowledged Dr. KC’s contribution to medical education reform and expressed its commitment to implementing feasible reforms through cooperation, dialogue and institutional coordination. It also urged him to end his hunger strike, emphasizing that the government remained willing to work collaboratively to improve medical education quality, accessibility and governance.