38-Day Hunger Strike Ends as Nepal's Health Minister Assures Changes in Medical Education

Kathmandu, September 18, 2023 – Health and Population Minister Mohan Bahadur Basnet has successfully mediated talks with the Medical Education Struggle Committee, leading to the end of a 38-day relay hunger strike in Maitighar Mandla. This significant breakthrough has been hailed as a vital step toward the improvement of medical education in Nepal.

Ministerial Intervention Halts Protest

Minister Basnet, promising imminent changes to address the committee’s 14-point agenda, sent his personal secretaries Rameshwar Acharya and Ramchandra Dulal to Maitighar to formally end the hunger strike. The momentous occasion saw committee members receiving juice, symbolizing the cessation of the protest.

High-Level Dialogue Commences

Soon after suspending the hunger strike, top officials from the struggle committee, including Coordinator Nirmal Sapkota and Co-coordinator Bhuvanchakra Joshi, visited the Ministry of Health and Population for high-level talks. Dr. Roshan Pokharel, the Secretary of the Ministry, Additional Secretary Dr. Vikash Devkota, and other key persons participated in the discussions.

Committee's 14-Point Agenda

The committee’s 14 critical demands include:

• Amendment to the Medical Education Act
• Immediate restructuring of the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT)
• Opening admissions in closed nursing colleges
• Abolition of quota systems in education
• Ending discrimination in scholarships

Government's Assurance

Minister Basnet conveyed that the government is prepared to make legislative changes, and named Dr. Vikash Devkota as the focal person for advancing these initiatives. "The government is aligned with the demands of the Medical Education Struggle Committee and will take immediate action," Minister Basnet assured.

Timelines

The protest began on August 12, 2023, and persisted until September 18, 2023, generating nationwide attention and placing immense pressure on the authorities to act.

This development is a significant leap toward improving Nepal’s medical education standards. While the termination of the hunger strike is a positive step, all eyes are now on the government to fulfill its promises expeditiously.