Extended Power Cuts: Medinirai Medical College MBBS Students Forced to Study under Phone Lights

Daltonganj: The MBBS students at the Medinirai Medical College (MMC), Pokhraha, are facing difficulties in studying due to the extended power cuts. The situation is such that the medicos are forced to study under their mobile phone torchlight in the Central Library.

Since the college became operational in 2019, it has been dealing with power outage problems. The college, which lacks a dedicated power line, sometimes faces two to eight hours of power cuts.

Expressing their frustration over the situation, an affected MBBS student at the medical college told TOI, "Even a salon has an inverter while we, the would-be professionals of an emergency service, are forced to prepare for the future in mobile torchlight."

"Even a tea stall is equipped with an inverter, allowing customers to enjoy uninterrupted light and fan facilities. On the other hand, we, the medical college students, miss out on our study hours, not to mention the discomfort," said another student.

Also Read: Medinirai Medical College students hold protest seeking respite from power, water woes

Meanwhile, commenting on the matter, a senior faculty member at the Community Medicine Department, Dr Nikhil Nishant informed the Times of India that besides the Central Library, the eight departments on the campus- anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, community medicine, and the forensic medicine and toxicology (FMT)- also suffer power cuts.

The principal of the medical college, Dr Kamender Prasad has blamed the situation on the lack of funds. He said, "I will soon request the health department to release funds for purchasing inverters."

As per the Daily, the inverter facilities cover only the principal's chamber and the administrative block on the campus, while the rest of the college, including the central library, classrooms, and laboratories remain without a power backup supply.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the students of Medinirai Medical College in Pokhraha, Daltonganj staged a protest earlier this month seeking respite from power cuts and the water crisis.

MMCH, Daltonganj recently came under the National Medical Commission's (NMC) scanner as the licence of its blood bank expired on September 30, 2020. Directing the institute to renew the licence by July 10, the Apex Medical Education Regulatory Body warned to slap a Rs 6 Lakh penalty on the institute for non-compliance.

Also Read: Medinirai Medical College students hold protest seeking respite from power, water woes