IMPHAL, October 30: The Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Prof H Nandakumar Sharma has today clarified that the inspection conducted by a team of MU with regard to affiliation of nursing institutes is a matter of routine and protocol.
It may be recalled here that the Vice-Chancellor had ignored the objections of the MU team which had found various discrepancies in the administrative functioning of the RIMS Nursing Institute and had suggested that new admission to the course should be halted.
And in his capacity as the VC, he had given approval for affiliation to the Nursing college.
Talking to IFP the VC today said that the University had granted affiliation to three institutes inclusive of RIMS Nursing College and Catholic Medical Hospital at Koirengei has also been approved for opening a similar institute.
He said that affiliation is awarded post approval from the Nursing Council of India and recommendations from the Manipur State Nursing Council. They are the main authorizing bodies and the concern of Manipur University is just a protocol issue.
Nandakumar mentioned that the RIMS Nursing college is totally funded by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the necessary infrastructure and staff are filled up adequately. The inspection team of Manipur University was not an expert evaluation and was just a formality, he added.
The main assessment has to be done by the Nursing Council of India and it is periodically carried out. “We have lack of health workers in the State; I feel that the Nursing College students will fill up the gap. The objective is betterment for the society in the health sector and providing career options”, Nandakumar added that male students can now also be admitted for the course.
Clarifying on a report about concrete caving in on a student’s room at the MU Women Hostel, the VC said that the building was inaugurated in 1982 by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and some area of the top of the building has remained exposed to the elements. It was not the roof caving in but a thick plaster which fell. The student was not hurt but her laptop and mobile had been damaged. The building has been examined by the MU engineer and necessary repairs are underway. He added that the loss of the student will be compensated immediately.