Amid intense protests and pressure from doctors, the Tribhuvan University Executive Council has dismissed Dr Sashi Sharma from the post of the Dean at the Institute of Medicines (IOM). Dr Sharma’s resignation is one of the demands put forward by Dr Govinda KC who is on a hunger strike demanding the end of political interference in the medical sector.

Earlier in the afternoon, the agitating doctors under Nepal Medical Association had issued a 24 hour ultimatum demanding resignation of Dr Sharma. Interim Election Council (IEC) Chairperson  Khil Raj Regmi had instructed  TU to withdraw appointment of Dr Sharma as the IOM Dean.

Following the decision to sack Dr Sharma, a delegation of TU officials led by vice chancellor Hira Maharjan called on IEC Chair Regmi at the latter’s residence at Baluwatar on Wednesday evening. Maharjan, on the occasion, apprised Regmi about the TU Council’s decision to dismiss Dr Sharma.

With Dr Sharma’s removal from the post of Dean, it is expected that Dr KC would break his hunger strike and the agitating doctors would return to work. However, Dr KC has informed that until the former IOM Dean  Prakash Sayami is reinstated in the office he won’t end his hunger strike.