Paramedics protest at Nalanda Medical college for constitution of Council

Patna: A demand for the constitution of a 'paramedical council' was raised by 200 protesting paramedical students of different state medical colleges at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital. The protestors were demanding for the Council so that issues like examination delay and lack of hostel facility could be taken up by it with the concerned authorities.

The protest saw the agitated students hold Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Exam Controller, Paramedical Courses, hostage for over an hour.

The rally taken out from Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) by members of the Paramedical Chhatra Sangharsh Samiti was rounded off by the students at the request of the police, leading to all of them assembling on the premises of the NMCH.

"When the officials of NMCH ignored their pleas, the protesters held exam controller hostage. Later, he was freed by the police. The students withdrew the agitation following police intervention," said a source to the TOI.

Nand Kishore, a diploma student, Medical Lab Technology 2014-16 told TOI that their first annual examination was held in February 2016 instead of 2015.

"We don't know when they will conduct the final year examination. We have already lost two precious years for the delay," he added. Other student protestors complained of teachers remaining away from lectures and classes not being held as per schedule.

"The condition of government medical colleges in the state is very bad. Seeing our seniors' plight, we are in a catch-22 situation," said a first-year paramedical student of PMCH, adding that they had no clue as to when the exam would be held.

"In private colleges, examinations are held on time and students get the necessary facilities. We don't know why the government is playing with our future," said another protester to the TOI.

Dr Prabhat Kumar, Exam Controller said February would see a special examination being held for the paramedical students to end all backlogs. "We will also request the government to give stipend money to the students besides providing them hostel facilities," he added to TOI.