Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, who is also the chancellor of the National Academy of Medical Sciences the governing body of Bir Hospital, appointed Dr Ganesh Gurung as the new vice-chancellor of the institute today.
A three-member committee led by Minister for Health and Population Minister Khaga Raj Adhikari had recommended Dr Gurung for the post of VC at NAMS.
Dr Gurung was coordinator of the Department of Orthopedics at Bir Hospital. The post of vice-chancellor at NAMS had been lying vacant for the past four months.
The Residents’ Association of NAMS has been staging protest for the past 12 days, putting forth various demands, including the appointment of VC. Their other demands include quarters for resident doctors, convocation ceremony, academic calendar and procurement of various equipment for Bir Hospital.
NAMS resident doctors of Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Tilganga Eye Hospital, Prasuti Griha, Kanti Children’s Hospital, Army Hospital, Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre and Nepal Eye Hospital have also stopped providing services.
Dr Gajendra Mani Shah, a RAN member, said the government’s decision to appoint Dr Gurung as VC of NAM was an important step towards finding an amicable solution to the ongoing crisis. “We met the newly appointed VC today itself and he has expressed commitment to appoint rector, dean and registrar at NAMS within a couple of days. Our talks team also held meeting with the concerned officials at the Ministry of Health and Population.
However, the agitating doctors are likely to call off the protest and return to their duty within three days,” he said. Dr Shah conceded that the ministry was positive about addressing all their demands as soon as possible.
Source: The Himalayantimes, Date, 9th August
