Shimla: Leader of the opposition in the Himachal Pradesh assembly, Jai Ram Thakur, on Saturday criticised the state government over reports that nearly 20% of trainee students at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Nursing Institute in Rampur-Khaneri, Shimla district, had been infected with tuberculosis (TB).
Thakur termed the situation alarming and blamed the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu dispensation for its "utter negligence" in handling a critical public health issue. The former chief minister said while the Centre continued to support TB eradication through the National Health Mission, the state government had failed to ensure proper monitoring and safeguards at the institutional level.
He said such lapses undermined years of progress in the fight against TB. Highlighting the complaints filed by the students' families with the local authorities, the BJP leader urged Chief Minister Sukhu to take immediate cognisance of the matter. Thakur demanded a thorough investigation and strict accountability to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
The outbreak has raised serious concerns about hygiene and health protocols at the institute. Parents and students have expressed outrage, calling for immediate action to ensure the safety of trainees. The state health department is yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
