Former Health Minister Prof Dr Mathura Prasad Shrestha passed away on Monday. He was 88. Shrestha, who had long been suffering from respiratory and heart related problems, breathed his last during the course of treatment at the Maitighar-based Annapurna Hospital this morning, his son Dr Jaya Shrestha said. He was a veteran human rights activist.

Shrestha became the Health Minister from the civil society in the government formed after the restoration of democracy.

He is survived by six sons and one daughter. His last rights will be performed at the Pashupati Aryaghat on Tuesday.