KATHMANDU, AUG 13 - Amid criticism that the prime minister’s failing health has led to poor governance, Sushil Koirala will attend his office in Singha Durbar from Thursday, his aides have said.

PM Koirala has mostly been bed-ridden since his return from the United States on July 23 after treatment for lung cancer. He remained active in the first week of August when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kathmandu .

“We have allowed the PM to rejoin office as his condition is improving. But he will have to take rest for a minimum of three months as suggested by the doctors in New York,” said Koirala’s personal physician Dr Karbir Nath Yogi.

On Monday, Koirala met Nepali Congress leaders and went to see President Ram Baran Yadav at Sheetal Niwas. On Tuesday, he presided over three separate meetings at his residence.

The PM has drawn a lot of flak for delaying important decisions such as the appointment of 26 Constituent Assembly members, ambassadorial postings, promotions of Nepal Police deputy inspector generals and filling vacant positions in constitutional bodies.

Koirala has been holding important meetings, including those of Cabinet, at his official residence in Baluwatar. Though the PM is recovering from lung cancer and the white patches in his lungs are disappearing, the radiotherapy sessions and

his age, 74, have weakened him, said Dr Yogi. Koirala

has cough from chronic bronchitis but he has been relieved of fever. He has high blood pressure.

Minister for Information and Communications Minenrda Rijal said the PM is alright and meeting people at his residence. While accepting a report from the National Vigilance Center on Tuesday, the PM refuted rumours of his “deteriorating” health.

“Please do not do politics over my health. Due to some technical reasons, I could not deliver on some issues but it doesn’t mean I’m not working,” he said. “Being ill is human nature.”

Koirala is traveling to New York in the second week of September for follow-up treatment and to attend the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly.