KATHMANDU (TIP): Strike by doctors in Nepal to push for reforms in medical education entered the third day on January 22 despite the Supreme Court ordering them to resume services in hospitals across the country.

Tens of thousands of people had assess only to emergency services as doctors boycotted work in solidarity of a colleague on huger strike against the government appointment of a new dean at the state-run Tribhuvan University’s Institute of Medicine. Orthopaedic surgeon Govinda K C, who works at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, began a hunger strike 11 days ago to protest the alleged political appointment of the institution’s new dean.

Doctors attending to him said his health is deteriorating. Dr KC said the appointment is part of a corruption conspiracy to give affiliation to new medical colleges which do not fulfill the basic standards to run medical courses and his protest is against the interference of a “medical mafia and politicians” in the Institute. On Monday, the Supreme Court had ordered doctors to resume services in hospitals but Nepal Medical Association (NMA) said only out-patient services have been suspended and patients have been provided services through emergency services. “Our protest will continue till Dr K C’s demands are met,” NMA senior vice president Dr Pashupati Regmi said.