Doctors move, NMC, Health Ministry, NHRC over Deficiencies at Faridabad's medical college, give ultimatum

New Delhi: Expressing concern over the alleged poor and unsafe living conditions of medical students at Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Medical College, Chhainsa, a doctors' body has written to the National Medical Commission (NMC), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the National Human Rights Commission, seeking urgent intervention within 72 hours.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that students at the institution complained of a lack of access to clean drinking water and inadequate electricity in classrooms, making conditions difficult, especially amid extreme heat. Due to the shortage of safe drinking water, students alleged they are forced to purchase water online and have demanded a permanent solution. Students also raised concerns about the attached hospital, claiming low patient inflow, irregular electricity supply, and lack of clean water facilities. They said that despite joining to pursue medical education, the institution lacks basic academic infrastructure.

Reacting to these complaints of alleged negligence, unsafe conditions, academic compromise, and mental distress, the United Doctors Front (UDF) has urged authorities to take action within 72 hours.

According to UDF, the institution is facing multiple deficiencies, including lack of clean drinking water in hostels, irregular electricity supply, poor sanitation, unsafe living conditions, weak hospital infrastructure and patient inflow, shortage of qualified faculty, and inadequate clinical exposure affecting training.

"These alleged conditions raise serious concerns regarding student safety, mental well-being, academic standards, clinical training, and compliance with minimum standards expected from a medical institution. The prevailing circumstances are reportedly causing significant mental distress and academic harm to students. Such systemic neglect, if found true, would amount to serious institutional failure and would adversely affect both medical education and patient care," the association stated. 

The association has demanded an immediate fact-finding inspection by the NMC or the Health Ministry, restoration of basic amenities within 72 hours, and submission of a compliance report by the institution. It also called for fixing accountability if negligence is established, ensuring proper clinical exposure and faculty availability, and protecting students from any retaliatory action.

"This matter may kindly be treated as most urgent. If no concrete action is initiated within 72 hours of receipt of this complaint, we shall be constrained to escalate the matter before appropriate legal, constitutional and public authorities in the interest of safeguarding medical education, student welfare and patient safety," it added. 

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Lakshay Mittal, Chairperson, UDF said, "Medical students deserve safe living conditions and proper training. If these complaints are true, immediate corrective action is necessary."

Also read- No water, electricity issues: MBBS students protest flagging poor facilities at Faridabad's medical college

Earlier, coming in support of the medical students, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) wrote to the National Medical Commission (NMC) seeking urgent intervention. It raised serious concerns over the severe and persistent deficiencies in infrastructure, academics, and hospital services at the institution. It stated that despite the college being approved by the NMC in 2020, with its first batch admitted in 2022, the institution has failed to meet even the most basic standards required for a functioning medical college.