Dr. Nagalakshmi Choudhary interacts with students of Government College of Nursing, MMC&RI

Mysore/Mysuru: The sorry state of affairs pertaining to nursing students at K.R. Hospital and Princess Krishnajammanni TB and Chest Diseases Hospital on KRS Road, under the jurisdiction of Mysore Medical College & Research Institute (MMC&RI), came to fore, during an interaction programme held with the Chairperson of Karnataka State Commission for Women, Dr. Nagalakshmi Choudhary in city yesterday.

In the interaction that lasted three-and-a-half hours, starting from 2.30 pm, nursing students belonging to Government College of Nursing, MMC&RI, shed light on many burning issues, listing about 28, including that of poor basic infrastructural facilities, risking the lives of both nurses and the patients.

Dr. Nagalakshmi, herself a Dental Graduate, was appalled and aghast to learn from nursing students, how the syringes are being used on multiple occasions, violating prescribed norms. In addition, the students are forced to work without any safety apparatus like; hand gloves and masks. “We should attend to cases, without taking any preventive vaccine,” alleged students, highlighting the gravity of affairs at the Government-owned teaching hospitals.

“The syringe used on the first day of admission of patients is being reused till their discharge. If the syringe is disposed, the students have to face the wrath of supervisors, due to the non-availability of fresh syringes due to no indent,” rued a student.

That apart, the students alleged, they are forced to clean the walls of ICU and also lights. When some of the serving nurses turned down the allegations, the students showed video evidence to prove their stand.

 A day’s leave comes at a cost, as the students are compelled to work on Sundays for nearly full day. The work hours exceed class hours and the complaints raised with the Nursing College Principal, have fallen on deaf ears, the students complained.

“There are 170 first year nursing students, who are already deputed to paediatric ward. They barely have any knowledge on children’s care, while in reality, it is only in the third semester that they will be taught on nuances of paediatric care. To fill the gap created owing to lack of adequate number of nurses, the students are deployed at paediatric wards,” they alleged further.

The other complaints included about how the nursing students seeking bus facilities, are discriminated along with MBBS students, for the sole reason that latter pays Rs. 45,000 as bus fee. The cleaner says, priority is for MBBS students. In addition, the disparity continues with Diploma in Nursing students, at Clinical section. Skill Lab is not fully equipped, as it is difficult to learn without projector and mannequins facilities, depriving us from getting quality education, the students alleged, crying for justice from Dr. Nagalakshmi.

In her reply, Dr. Nagalakshmi instructed Nursing College Principal Dr. Nanda Prakash to provide vaccine to nursing students within 2-3 days. Or else, the authorities concerned should be ready to face action, she warned.

Regarding denial of bus facilities to nursing students, Dr. Nagalakshmi, who took exception to ill-treatment, when compared with according priority to MBBS students, questioned whether doctors can perform their duty without nurses assistance? Every profession deserves respect and hence, the arrangements should be made to provide bus facilities to nursing students too, she instructed.

MMC&RI Dean & Director Dr. K.R. Dakshayani, Administrative Officer Mahesh, K.R. Hospital Administrative Board Member Thanuja Mahesh, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Dr. Nayaz, Supervisor Shobha and MMC&RI Principal Dr. K. Sathish were present.

Big hike in fees from Rs. 2,700 to Rs. 12,500

A steep rise in fees charged for nursing students from Rs. 2,700 to Rs. 12,500, raised the eyebrows of Dr. Nagalakshmi, who sought a comprehensive report, along with explanation behind revising the fees structure.

Nursing students said, while the fees has been increased here, the Hassan college still continues to charge Rs. 2,600 fees amount. Despite paying hefty fees, there is no adequate library facility here. How fair it is to collect excess fees from the students, majority of who belong to rural areas? asked the students, who produced receipts of both MMC&RI and Hassan nursing colleges.

As MMC&RI Government Nursing College Principal failed to provide reasons for fee hike, Dr. Nagalakshmi, sought a clear explanation. If the fees collected is more than the Govt. stipulated fees amount, excess fees should be returned to students, he added.

No separate building

Nursing College has no separate building and more than that, 13 lecturers teach 600 students, while the rule clearly states that, every 60 students should have one lecturer. Besides, the classes are not conducted regularly and weekly-off is denied. The skill-based teaching is missing and if any student dares to question the inadequacies, they are targeted. The college library has no materials to acquire knowledge about current academic matters. The hospitals lack rest room for nurses and so also the hostel facility at the college.

What’s disturbing further is the denial of registration number for students to avail scholarship through State Scholarship Portal (SSP). The outside State students shell thousands of rupees on advance and rent to avail rented accommodations. When it comes to sports, there is neither any separate funds to purchase required equipment nor due encouragement to budding sports persons.