Shimla, May 2
At a time when the state government is facing stiff protests from women’s organisations such as All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) and Left trade unions over the alleged negligent attitude towards women’s healthcare services, a fresh controversy has emerged with reports of a significant number of nursing students contracting tuberculosis (TB) at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Nursing Institute and Hospital, Rampur-Khaneri—further mounting pressure on the Congress government.
Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur termed the development “unfortunate” and indicative of systemic failure in the state’s health sector.
He said that 19 out of 90 students at the institute have been infected with TB in some form, with reports also pointing towards cases of MDR-TB.
Thakur alleged that despite extensive support from the Centre in the form of funding, medicines, and national-level TB eradication programmes, the state government led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has failed to ensure proper healthcare delivery and timely intervention.
He referred to complaints by families highlighting lapses in diagnosis, treatment, and even basic facilities such as nutrition in the hostel.
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He also raised concern over allegations that some students were advised non-medical practices instead of proper treatment, calling it a serious lapse in handling an infectious disease.
The Opposition has demanded a high-level probe into the incident, immediate medical care for affected students, and corrective measures to prevent further spread of infection, even as protests over the state’s healthcare management continue to intensify.
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