Govt won’t withdraw medical education bill: Minister Pokhrel

Kathmandu, July 19

The government says it will not withdraw the controversial medical education bill, but it is ready to amend it if necessary.

Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokhrel, who was talking to mediapersons in Kathmandu on Thursday, said that it was impossible for him to withdraw the bill as it has already been registered with Parliament. “The bill will not be withdrawn, However, we are ready to amend through the parliamentary process,” said Pokhrel.

The minister’s statement comes as medical education reform activist Dr Govinda KC is being airlifted to Kathmandu from Jumla, where he has been on hunger strike for the last 20 days. Dr KC has been demanding that the bill be withdrawn and amended as per the recommendations made by the government-formed Mathema Committee.

While the Mathema Committee and Dr KC have been saying that the government needs to place a ban on establishment of new medical colleges in Kathmandu, the government is reluctant to do so.

Pokhrel said that it was the government’s duty to protect Dr KC and he was being brought to Kathmandu as it was not possible to treat him in Jumla. “The medical education ordinance issued by the Nepali Congress government cannot be copy-pasted onto the new act,” explained the minister.

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