ABVP demands emergency medical facilities after student death at TISS Mumbai

ABVP Mumbai took to the streets after a student died on the campus of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai. On Wednesday, the organisation, along with students, held a strong protest on campus and submitted a memorandum to the administration demanding better student safety, health and emergency medical facilities.

The incident took place after TISS student Dr Janardanan P. suddenly fell ill on campus but did not receive timely first aid. His condition kept worsening as a result, and he eventually died. The incident has raised serious questions over the campus's emergency medical arrangements. ABVP has said the administration must immediately take concrete and effective steps to ensure students get timely ambulance service and necessary medical help during emergencies.

ABVP has placed several key demands before the administration. The first is a 24x7 emergency medical service and ambulance facility on campus, along with a backup ambulance kept ready at all times. The second is a clear standard operating procedure and helpline system for emergencies. The third is a memorandum of understanding with BARC Hospital or a nearby super-specialty hospital so students can get immediate treatment. The organisation has also demanded health and accident insurance cover for every student, and has asked that TISS's health centre be provided with adequate doctors, trained medical staff, essential medicines and emergency equipment.

Abhishek Pawar, Mumbai Mahanagar Mantri of ABVP Mumbai, said on the occasion, "Dr Janardanan P.'s death has deeply shocked the entire student community. Following this incident, it is essential for the TISS administration to seriously review the campus's emergency medical arrangements."

He further said that in any emergency involving students' lives, immediate access to ambulances, medical help and treatment at the right hospital is a basic necessity. According to Pawar, the administration must take concrete, time-bound action on these demands instead of merely offering assurances. He said clearly that ABVP Mumbai would not compromise on matters of student health and safety. The organisation has demanded that the administration take concrete, visible and satisfactory action on these demands within the next 10 days.