Dhangadhi Mayor Gopal Hamal Threatens Hunger Strike If MBBS Classes Do Not Begin At Geta

Dhangadhi Metropolitan City Mayor Gopal “Gopi” Hamal has announced that he is prepared to begin a hunger strike if MBBS teaching does not start at the Shahid Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences in Geta, Kailali, during the current academic session.

Speaking through a Facebook video from Budar in Doti on Monday, Hamal said residents of Sudurpashchim have waited for years for better access to medical education and quality healthcare.

He warned that the government should not delay the university’s operation any further.

Mayor Demands MBBS Classes This Academic Session

Hamal said the university must begin admitting and teaching MBBS students from the current academic session.

He also demanded that the existing hospital at Geta be upgraded and operated as a 300-bed teaching hospital.

“If MBBS classes do not begin and the 300-bed hospital is not operated, I am also ready to sit on a hunger strike,” Hamal said, according to reports of his video statement.

He added that he was prepared to lead a broader movement if necessary.

Focus Should Be On Starting Classes, Hamal Says

The mayor said the immediate priority should be the launch of medical education and hospital services rather than disputes over who holds senior university positions.

He stressed that regardless of who serves as vice-chancellor, registrar or another officeholder, MBBS classes must begin without further delay.

His remarks come amid growing pressure from local leaders, campaigners and residents to make full use of the major medical infrastructure already built at Geta.

University Had Planned 50 MBBS Seats

University officials had earlier announced preparations to launch several health-science programs from the new academic session.

The university reportedly applied to the Medical Education Commission for 140 total seats, including:

• 50 seats in MBBS

• 30 seats in BSc Nursing

• 20 seats in Medical Laboratory Technology

• 20 seats in BSc Optometry

• 20 seats in Public Health

The plan also included upgrading the existing 50-bed Geta Hospital into a 300-bed teaching facility required for clinical education.

Govinda KC Already On Hunger Strike

Medical education reform campaigner Professor Dr Govinda KC has also been staging a hunger strike in Dhangadhi over demands connected to the Geta-based university and wider medical education reforms.

His demands reportedly include:

• Starting MBBS education at Geta immediately

• Operating a 300-bed hospital

• Cancelling the recent appointments of the vice-chancellor and registrar

• Ensuring transparent and lawful university management

• Expanding quality healthcare services in Sudurpashchim

KC began his latest hunger strike on July 23 after accusing the government of failing to respond adequately to his demands.

Hamal And KC Differ On Appointments

While KC has demanded the cancellation of the university’s recently appointed senior officials, Hamal has placed greater emphasis on launching academic and hospital services.

Hamal said the question of who holds office should not be allowed to prevent students from studying medicine or residents from accessing healthcare.

His position suggests that he may support KC’s demands regarding MBBS classes and hospital capacity while taking a different view on whether the current officeholders must be removed first.

Government Previously Promised Classes This Year

The government and university leadership had previously said MBBS classes would begin during the upcoming academic year.

The university was established after Parliament approved legislation turning the long-delayed Geta medical college project into a specialised health-sciences university.

Officials had also announced that the hospital would be expanded from 50 to 300 beds to support clinical training for medical students.

However, uncertainty over approvals, staffing, hospital capacity and university management has continued to raise concerns over whether the announced schedule can be met.

Why Geta Matters To Sudurpashchim

Sudurpashchim residents have long argued that the province lacks adequate access to specialised healthcare and medical education.

Many patients must travel to Kathmandu, Nepalgunj or India for advanced treatment, while aspiring medical students often have to leave the province to pursue their education.

Supporters believe that a fully operating university and teaching hospital at Geta could:

• Train doctors and health professionals within Sudurpashchim

• Improve access to specialist treatment

• Reduce the need for long-distance medical travel

• Create employment and research opportunities

• Strengthen healthcare services across western Nepal

• Support local economic development

The university describes itself as a health-sciences institution committed to medical education, research and patient care in Sudurpashchim.

Pressure On Government Increasing

Hamal’s warning adds political and public pressure on the government as Dr KC’s hunger strike continues.

The government now faces calls to clarify:

• Whether MBBS admissions will open this academic session

• Whether the Medical Education Commission has approved the requested seats

• When the hospital will reach 300-bed capacity

• Whether enough doctors, teachers and staff have been appointed

• How the dispute over university leadership will be resolved

• What budget has been secured for academic and hospital operations

Until these issues are addressed, uncertainty surrounding the university’s full operation is likely to continue.