The husband of Nepal's Interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, is being urgently transferred to New Delhi for specialized medical treatment. This decision comes after his health showed no significant improvement at a government hospital in Kathmandu.
Medical Condition and Transfer Decision
Durga Prasad Subedi, 74, was admitted to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital last Thursday. Hospital sources confirmed that despite ongoing treatment, his condition did not improve substantially. He is scheduled to be discharged and flown to the Indian capital later today.
A doctor at the hospital, speaking anonymously, revealed the initial diagnosis. "He was admitted after experiencing various health problems. The initial assessment pointed towards a urinary tract infection, low sodium levels, and some stomach-related issues," the doctor told ANI.
Inconclusive Tests and Seeking a Second Opinion
Medical teams conducted a series of tests to pinpoint the exact cause of his illness. "CT scans and MRI tests were performed, but no specific problem was conclusively detected," stated another senior doctor from the hospital. The lack of a clear diagnosis prompted the family to seek further expertise.
This was confirmed by Interim Prime Minister Karki's personal physician, Dr. Man Bahadur KC. He stated that Subedi was formally discharged after the family made the decision to get a second medical opinion in India. The specific hospital in Delhi where he will be treated has not been publicly disclosed.
A Figure from Nepal's Political History
Durga Prasad Subedi is not just the Prime Minister's spouse; he is a former youth leader of the Nepali Congress party. He first met Sushila Karki while both were students at the Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India.
His past includes a dramatic chapter in Nepal's history. Fifty-three years ago, Subedi was involved in the country's first-ever plane hijacking. On June 10, 1973, he was among a group of Nepali Congress cadres who hijacked a Royal Nepal Airlines flight from Biratnagar to Kathmandu. Their goal was to push for political change against the monarchy of King Mahendra.
The operation, masterminded by former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, involved seizing a Canadian-made 19-seater Twin Otter aircraft carrying NRs 30 lakh in government funds. After a struggle with the crew, the hijackers forced the pilot to land in Forbesganj, Bihar. Subedi later documented this event in his book titled 'Biman Bidroha'.
The nation now watches as this prominent political figure seeks advanced medical care across the border, highlighting the close personal and historical ties between Nepal and India.
