Qaiser Dar
Srinagar 18 December (KNB): Scores of MBBS students of SKIMS Medical College staged a protest against the college administration for not addressing their issues as well as not conducting clinical classes for months, hence making the students suffer.
The students started to assemble within the premises of SKIMS Srinagar since morning and demanded immediate action against the administration of the college.
The protesting MBBS students said that for over past six months not a single clinical class was held and the administration has not even vacated the designated Covid19 staff from the hostels yet.
“For Past six months we’ve been kept away from the classrooms deliberately, the covid19 staff that has been accommodated in hostels meant for students, have not been shifted to any other location yet,” a student told Kashmir News Bureau.
The MBBS students said that due to the neglecting attitude of the administration especially the Principal SKIMS Medical College, eight students have so far tested positive for Covid-19, after they came in contact with the Covid-19 staff within the hostel which is highly worrying and disturbing for the students.
Demanding evacuation of the designated covid19 staff from hostels, students told KNB, “They are playing around with the lives of students here, many among us come from far flung areas and have put every penny to stay in these hostels but then they don’t care about it, they are not listening to us.”
They added that their neglecting attitude has taken a great toll on our academics as the classes are only held at wards.
“It has cost us additional six months if compared with the medical colleges pan-India (National Medical Colleges),” they said.
Students also alleged negligence of doctors in treating a student, who had a stroke yesterday.
A student told KNB, “yesterday one of our batchmates had a stroke, after taking her to the hospital the response from the doctors was so sluggish. The cry had to be raised in order to get someone to treat her.”
Student alleged that even medicine wasn’t available for her treatment and took quite some time to get it.
“There was significant delay in the response of doctors towards her and afterwards she had to be shifted to Delhi for treatment,” the student said.
They further said that whenever we try to put forth our issues to the higher authority of the college (HOD’s), they either ignore us or harass us. Hence, don’t have any other option than to stage a protest.
Talking to Kashmir News Bureau, SKIMS Principal Dr. Riyaz Untoo said the students should come to me regarding harassment incidents.
He said, “till now, no student has come to my office regarding such cases.”
About the allegation of negligence from the doctors in treating the student, who had a stroke yesterday, Untoo said that Medical Superintendent is the concerned authority in this matter. I’ve already asked the MS to report me regarding it but so far no report has been filed in my office.
He further denied the claims of students that no clinical classes were being held.
He said that these are just baseless reports and clinical classes were surely being held. (KNB)