The Hindu : New Delhi News : JNU campus set to get ambulance by Tuesday

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Saturday, Sep 26, 2009
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JNU campus set to get ambulance by Tuesday

Staff Reporter

Students’ union calls off hunger strike
A doctor to be appointed for night duty

NEW DELHI: A sustained campaign by Jawaharlal Nehru University students demanding better heath facilities on the campus bore fruit on Friday with the administration providing a doctor during night hours and an ambulance by early next week.

The JNU students have been protesting against two deaths reported on the campus earlier this month — that of an M.Tech. student and a teacher who had come for a refresher course.

The JNU Students’ Union had also launched a relay hunger strike that was called off on Friday following assurances from the authorities.

The JNUSU had also protested outside the UGC headquarters on Thursday against lack of health facilities and the administration’s “insensitive” attitude.

“We thank the students, staff and faculty members for their support in ensuring that the campus is prepared for medical emergencies,” said Vikram Singh, a research scholar at JNU’s School of Information Technology, and a classmate of Aishvarya Agrawal, who died of an asthma attack earlier this month.

“From Tuesday, a 24X7 ambulance equipped with all life-saving equipments and a qualified paramedic would be available on the campus,” said Dean of Students V.K. Jain.

“JNU will also arrange for a qualified doctor at the health centre during the night from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. till the OPD section takes over,” said Associate Dean of Students Sachidanand Sinha.

The doctor, who will be available for six days a week, will be appointed in the next few days.

“While these assurances are welcome, they are only a first step towards ensuring proper health facilities at JNU. Our health centre needs considerable changes. Suggestions from the entire JNU community, in particular from the faculty of the Centre for Social Medicine and Community Health, should be taken into consideration while deciding any future developments,” said JNUSU president Sandeep Singh.

Aishvarya’s friends feel that since his tragic death was the catalyst for all these positive changes, the new ambulance should be dedicated to him.

“We have requested the administration to call Aishvarya’s parents to JNU and dedicate this ambulance to the JNU community,” said Vikram.

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