my uttarakhand news Bureau
Pauri Garhwal, 31 Aug: A fourth-year BSc Horticulture student of Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry at Bharsar in Pauri Garhwal district died while undergoing treatment in Rishikesh. Following her death, fellow students staged a protest on the university campus today and levelled serious allegations of negligence against the university administration.
According to the students, fourth-year BSc Horticulture student Madhu Yadav had suddenly fallen ill on Saturday night. Madhu, who was reportedly a resident of Pantnagar, had been suffering from cold and fever. As her condition deteriorated, fellow students tried to arrange treatment through the medical facilities available on the university campus. However, they alleged that she did not receive the required medical attention there.
Madhu was subsequently taken to Pabau Hospital in the university ambulance. The students alleged that after reaching Pabau, the university declined to provide its ambulance further, following which she was shifted to Pauri Hospital with the help of a government ambulance. After treatment at Pauri, she was referred to Srinagar in view of her critical condition.
The students said that when Madhu’s condition did not improve in Srinagar, she was referred to Rishikesh yesterday. However, she died during treatment in Rishikesh later yesterday. News of her death has triggered grief as well as anger among students on the university campus.
Questioning the medical arrangements at the university, the students have alleged that Madhu could have received timely treatment and her life might have been saved if the campus had better and adequate healthcare facilities. They said that a large number of male and female students study at the university and, therefore, the campus must have proper medical arrangements, trained healthcare staff and sufficient resources to deal with emergencies.
Ridhim, a student, said that the students made every possible effort after Madhu’s health deteriorated, but did not receive the expected support from the university administration. She alleged that there are difficulties in arranging an ambulance and that the students faced considerable problems while taking the patient from one hospital to another.
The students also raised questions over the functioning and behaviour of the university warden. They alleged that the students did not receive the expected support during the difficult period and were not treated appropriately. They said that the university administration should have stood with them when a student was seriously ill, but such support was not forthcoming.
Demanding an impartial inquiry into the matter, the students said that the actual cause of Madhu’s death and any possible delay or lapse in providing timely medical treatment must be investigated. They also demanded that the university’s medical and ambulance arrangements be strengthened so that no other student has to face a similar situation in the future.
Efforts were made to contact the university Vice-Chancellor and Registrar for their response, but neither official could be reached. At the same time, Pauri Garhwal District Magistrate Swati S. Bhadauria said that no complaint or official information regarding the matter has so far been received by her so far. Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Anand Swaroop said that instructions have been issued to the District Magistrate to conduct an inquiry into the entire matter. He added that a magistrate-level officer would be sent to the university campus to address the concerns of the protesting students without delay.
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