BPKIHS sees multiple protests as it faces allegation of corruption and irregularities

DHARAN : Nepal’s famed teaching hospital BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) has been rocked by constant protests for a couple of weeks.  Protesters are both from within and outside the BPKIHS.

Former Chairman of Faculty Welfare Society and Deputy Coordinator of the Joint Struggle Committee Dr. Bishnu Pokhrel said a relay hunger strike would be launched from Monday. ”We will not affect the medication of patients. But we will start a relay hunger strike from Monday,” said Dr. Pokhrel.

Pokhrel announced that all vehicles used by four major office-bearers would be donated by writing ‘BPKIHS’. He stressed that such a move would curb the misuse of vehicles by the BPKIHS officials.

Joint Struggle Committee has snatched keys of the cars used by three office-bearers namely Rector Professor Dr. Guru Khanal, Registrar Professor Dr. Mohanchandra Regmi and Hospital Director Professor Dr. Gaurishankar Shah. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gyanendra Giri’s car key was not snatched away as he was on his way to Kathmandu, said protesters.

Faculties, students, staff and nurses have been staging protests for the past 12 days. They are demanding fair, transparent and vibrant administration of the BPKIHS.

On the other hand, a civilian group is also staging a protest against the BPKIHS administration. The group called Citizen Pressure Network chaired by Rajendra Sharma has issued a warning letter asking the authorities concerned to fix all anomalies, corruption and disorder seen at the biggest government-owned health facility in Province 1.

On June 25, the Citizen Pressure Network gave a three-day ultimatum to address anomalies and irregularities by holding dialogue with all stakeholders concerned. However, no headway is made towards their demands, says the network.

When asked by the RSS,  all BPKIHS officials declined to make any comments on the issues.