MBBS students allege mental harassment at AIIMS

Nagpur: Describing the institute as a 'high-tech' jail, MBBS students accused the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nagpur authorities of mental harassment, high handedness and imposing various curbs in a social media outburst late on Friday night. They claimed many of them were in severe depression while some are under treatment at the institute's department of psychiatry.
Though the complaint posted on Twitter was from an unverified account, a note by the hospital authorities acknowledging the grievances was posted in the students’ WhatsApp group. However, it warned of action if the tweet was not deleted by Saturday midnight. The PRO team denied having posted any such warning.
However, the institute also didn’t issue any rebuttal of the thread posted on Twitter where students tagged prime minister Narendra Modi and other top ministers including AIIMS Nagpur’s official handle.
Some students shared their OPD cards, suspension orders and pleas to administration with TOI to confirm their grievances.
“I am under treatment at psychiatry department here. I used to feel all the symptoms all the time and college was becoming more of a depressive place for me each passing day, treatment didn’t help and I decided to go home to feel better from everything that I was facing I was feeling better with my parents and didn’t want to feel all the negative suicidal thoughts again so I decided to stay back with my parents for few more days…” read an application mailed to dean academics by a 2019 batch student on October 4, 2021.
The student sought prolonged leave as he was yet to recover mentally and physically but the dean (academics) informed him that his application was not accepted.
Other students said, “He has abandoned the course now.”
Another student’s OPD assessment read, “Reports no improvement in symptoms. Low mood, low energy, negative, thoughts and death wishes.”
In September, a girl’s parent pleaded with the administration to reconsider her suspension as it would cause academic burden on her. “Kindly reduce the suspension period for the betterment of my daughter’s mental health and academics,” the plea read.
In August, a 19-year-old student was rushed to emergency by his hostel friends following suicidal thoughts. He was admitted for four days. “Moderate depression without somatic symptoms. Decrease appetite, negative thoughts,” reads his discharge card.
Students said many have “suicidal thoughts but only 20% of such students are seeking treatment. Others are just bearing the trauma and trying to cope with the situation”.
The students accused the dean (students welfare) of allegedly humiliating them for petty issues. The students also posted pictures of a rigid mess schedule and lopsided nomination process for students council election issued by the dean.
“He must be removed not just from the dean’s post but also as head of surgery department,” they said, adding that it was a demand demand by all PG and UG students.
Dr Vibha Dutta, director, AIIMS Nagpur, said they were busy with the PM visit arrangement. “I haven’t come across such complaints though I keep meeting students. We shall see after a couple of days,” she said.
Dr Siddharth Dubashi, dean (students welfare), refused to comment on the issue.
Dr Mrunal Pathak, dean (academics) didn’t take TOI’s calls.
COMPLAINTS POSTED ON TWITTER
Treated like prisoners by self-proclaimed powerful admin
More than 60 medical students are in depression
AIIMS Nagpur only institute which imposed college dress for MBBS students
Students not consulted while deciding dress code
Hostel timings are stricter than jail
Student welfare dean possessed by intimidating style
Dean targets students, humiliates them
No recreational space, gym overcrowded
No student council elected
Mess timings stringent. Students forced to leave while eating
Security guards entering hostel rooms anytime