Siddipet Medical College: Over 300 medicos hold silent protest over lack of basic facilities, alleged hostel curfews

Siddipet: Over 300 MBBS students of Siddipet Government Medical college boycotted classes and called for a sit-in protest over the lack of bare minimum necessities including insufficient drinking water, electricity supply, ill-equipped library and sub-standard food and others.

The medicos observed a silent protest wherein all the male members wore a mask while the female protestors covered their face using a headscarf and held placards with their demands written on them.

According to recent media reports, the protest started on December 21 (Saturday) and has been on the boil regarding various issues including lack of basic facilities, the alleged non-allocation of hostel accommodation, detaining students in practical exams, bonds for unnecessary reasons, collection of extra electricity charges even after paying non-refundable about of Rs 5,000.

The relatively new medical college, inaugurated in 2018 received the consent of the Medical Council of India (MCI) for the establishment based on satisfactory facilities.

Also Read: MCI LOP to Siddipet Medical College, 150 MBBS seat increase in Telangana

However, with the medicos raising their voices before the administration, demanding basic facilities narrates a different scenario of Siddipet Medical College.

The protesting students alleged sub-standard facilities and negligence by the officials of the institution. As per the protestors, they have been facing the issues for more than a year now, however, no measures have been taken to resolve the issues.

Earlier, the students had written to Harish Rao, Finance Minister, Telangana, who had visited the campus to superintend the construction work. He had assured them of providing all-round facilities. However, there has been no improvement in the situation, mentioned one of the protestors.

Aggrieved, the medicos initiated the protest and mentioned how they are allegedly forced to drink non-purified water as frequent power-cuts often led to lack of drinking water by the purifiers installed in the hostel, which in itself is insufficient for 325 medical students in the hostel. This has often resulted in health issues.

The quality of food provided in the canteen has also been put to question by the protesting students, moreover, the medicos even find it difficult to attend classes on time due to improper transport facility. Initially, the college provided a bus to commute from the hostel to the academic building, however, the administration halted it allegedly due to repair and lack of funds.

Further, the ill-equipped library and alleged suppression of the students from demanding all-round facilities was finally sought for attention through the ongoing protest holding placards with their demands written on it.

The medicos wrote a letter to the principal of the college asking for these facilities and also forwarded the letter to the director of the college.

Commenting on the protest and the allegations, Dr Tamilarasi, College Principal told The News Minute, "Since it's a new campus, there are few establishing phase problems, to which there is actually no need of taking up protests. Yes, there is water and electricity problem on the campus but we have applied for mission Bhagiratha water and they have already started the water supply. Steps are being taken up for power supply and we are also ready to change the mess contractor if the students give us a written representation."

"We are giving hostel accommodation to almost all students even though MCI guidelines necessitate this only for 60% students. When there is more burden, there will be a few minor problems when it comes to available resources, " she added.

She even clarified about implementing hostel curfews for the safety of all the students mentioning that the restrictions are flexible and if the students get the consent of their parents, the college doesn't have any issues.

On the other hand, Dr Uma Nagender Vishnu, President of Telangana Junior Doctors Association(JUDA), told Newsmeter, "This is a new medical college in Siddipet. Students have complained that they don't have basic facilities in their college like water and transport. And the shocking part is that students are being asked to pay the electricity bill and also pay diesel bills for transport. We have complained the same to the Director of Medical Education (DME), but DME said that everything is fine in college, but only students are arrogant. We have told the students to continue the protest and students are trying to meet the health minister and finance minister of the state in this regard."