'Superficial response': Lady hardinge medical college students allege unsafe hostel conditions remain unresolved

New Delhi: Calling the administration's response 'superficial', the medical students of Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) have alleged that their concerns over unsafe and unhygienic hostel conditions remain unresolved, even after the institute issued a clarification promising action.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the college administration issued a clarification on April 22, 2026, after medical students residing in the girls' hostel at the college staged a protest over 'extremely distressing and unsafe living conditions'.

In the press release, the institute stated that the concerns raised by students regarding hostel facilities, including issues related to mess services, sanitation, stray dogs and demand for air-conditioning, were taken into consideration and necessary action had been initiated.

Reacting to the press note, students alleged that the assurances are largely based on future plans that may take years to implement, while their current living conditions continue to be distressing.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, the students said that the points stated by the administration are superficial, and not a single promising action has been taken. Till now, dogs are roaming freely, the washrooms are unhygienic, and the common room containing an AC, as stated by them, is filled with dogs with no proper sitting space.

They asked, "How can you even accommodate 800 plus students in a common room? Where will they sleep? In this excruciating heat? Shouldn't installing an AC on our own expense be a right? Is that too much to ask?"

The development comes in the backdrop of protests by around 200 students against the deteriorating living conditions at the hostel. The students alleged that they are living in extreme heat, as installing air conditioners is not allowed. While the students have been demanding permission to install ACs at their own cost, the authorities are denying this request, citing 'old wiring'. However, the students have pointed out that ACs exist in the warden's room and other old hostels.

Another troubling issue for the students is unhygienic mess food. They had claimed that insects have been found in their food. According to the students, even though the mess is compulsory, the food at the mess is of poor hygiene. Even the coolers at the hostel are non-functional, or they provide contaminated water. The washrooms are filthy, claimed the students, adding that poor sanitation is leading to frequent infections among students. Further, the students have highlighted the stray dog menace, including the dog bite incidents and unsafe surroundings, especially at night.

Stating that the institute has only made promises on paper without any visible action, the students questioned how they are expected to survive in the hostel under the current living conditions.

On air-conditioning, they pointed out that all the offices and departments are in the 100-year-old heritage building, but they can have new wiring and fully working AC. However, a decade-old hostel, such as PG hostels, cannot even be equipped with ACs- probably because that is a co-ed hostel, unlike the UG girls' hostel

"Does a girls’ hostel not deserve ACs?" the students asked.

Also read- Lady Hardinge Medical College clarifies after unsafe hostel conditions protest, doctors' body says 'accountability shift, not solution'