Paramedics protest accommodation crisis

PATNA: Several paramedics protesting lack of accommodation facilities at

Patna Medical College and Hospital

(PMCH) were injured in an alleged police lathicharge on Saturday.


The police action came when the protesters were staging a dharna outside the emergency wing of PMCH, alleging that they were deprived of accommodation facilities for the past three years.

Vishal Singh, a final-year student of diploma in ophthalmic assistant (2016-18 batch), said, “The new hostel building is ready, but many of us are still staying in rented accommodations.”

Another protester, Anjali Verma, alleged many students of her batch, including her, sustained injuries in police action. “One of the injured paramedic is undergoing treatment in hospital,” she added.

Anjali, a Gaighat resident, said she has to cover a long distance to reach hospital on time. “I have been currently assigned night duty from 9pm to 2am. It’s unsafe to travel in the wee hours,” she said.

Bharat Bhushan, a second-year student of diploma in OT assistant, said, “We will not call off the strike until the administration addresses the issues raised by us. Other medical colleges in Darbhanga, Pawapuri and

Bhagalpur

and even

Nalanda Medical College and Hospital

(NMCH) in Patna provide accommodation to paramedics,” he added.

Students refused to talk to PMCH superintendent Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad when he reached the site. “The students are influenced by NMCH paramedics, who captured the hostel by force around 10 days ago. I have assured the students that college principal will resolve the issue after Diwali. A meeting was held with principal secretary of health department in this regard,” he said.