Hyderabad: The Director of Medical Education (DME) has set up an inquiry committee headed by the principal of Osmania Medical College to look into the complaints of alleged misbehavior and discrimination by the principal of the Government Dental College (GDC) of Hyderabad.
Students, faculty and non-teaching staff of GDC have submitted representations to the DME and the health secretary, citing mistreatment and mental harassment of patients, students and staff by the principal. They have demanded immediate removal of the principal from her position.
“Around 22 second year students of BDS course were unjustly detained while interns in girls’ hostel were asked to evacuate. Despite availability of 15 vacant rooms, no new student was allotted rooms. Further, stipends of around 30 students were held back," Dr Manzur Ahmed, National President, AIDSA, said.
Besides, many other issues pertaining to interference in the work of non-teaching staff have been mentioned in the representation submitted to the health secretary.
“She has not allowed oral and maxillofacial surgery department to use the operation theatre. She has tried to stop appointments of nurses in the college. Attendants aged above 50 years were asked to leave. Although there are lifts, no one is allowed to use them, causing inconvenience to persons with disabilities and elderly people,” Dr Ahmed said.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Dr P Aruna said that her directions were being misinterpreted by students and staff. "The hostels have only 80 rooms and 85,000 students. Even if three girls stay in one room, all students will not get to use the facilities. Hence, we have allotted rooms to only undergraduate students. The stipends are to be issued by the administrative authorities and are linked to biometric attendance system," she said. She added that the lift was 20-year-old and despite government being informed, the funds for a new lift have not been sanctioned.
Likewise, the Operation Theatre without enough staff is a dangerous place to work, she said.
