Nursing school disaster turns political in Health Ministers constituency

With simply months to go for the native physique and Assembly elections subsequent yr, the Pathanamthitta Government Nursing College is quick rising as a key political situation in Aranmula, the constituency of Health Minister Veena George.

Nearly per week and a half after college students launched a protest towards the federal government’s apathy in fixing points confronted by the establishment, the Congress has thrown its weight behind the problem. On Tuesday, the Kerala Students Union (KSU), the celebration’s scholar wing, staged an enormous protest exterior the school. The dharna that adopted was inaugurated by MP, Anto Antony, who expressed his willingness to allot a bus to the school by way of his MP fund.

“There isn’t any method a authorities establishment like this could operate with out approval from the Indian Nursing Council. If the Left Democratic Front authorities is keen to deal with the shortcomings and full the required documentation inside a set timeframe, I’m able to take up the duty of securing INC approval inside only a month,” mentioned Mr. Antony, additionally a former parliamentary consultant on the council.

The school has been within the eye of a storm over its lack of primary facilities and the absence of recognition from the INC. The establishment started functioning in 2023 with an preliminary batch of 60 college students beneath momentary approval from the Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) and the Kerala Nursing Council. However, even after two years, the school has did not get hold of the necessary INC recognition, leaving college students involved in regards to the validity of their levels.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Anish Varikkannamala and KSU district president Allen Geo Michael led the protesters, who started a march from Stadium Junction. On reaching the school entrance, they tried to interrupt by way of a police barricade, prompting a police intervention The police used power to disperse the group and forcibly relocating the activists to a police bus.

Currently working out of a rented constructing, the school lacks even elementary infrastructure, together with correctly outfitted laboratories essential for medical coaching, the scholars alleged. Despite repeated appeals to the Health Minister and different authorities, no motion has been taken. With commencement looming, the scholars say their futures hold in uncertainty.