Nearly a year after their initial protest over inadequate infrastructure, students of the Government Nursing College in Pathanamthitta once again staged a demonstration here on Wednesday demanding government intervention to address the shortage of essential facilities and ensure recognition from the Indian Nursing Council (INC).

The college, which began functioning in 2023 with a first batch of 60 students, had received temporary approval from the Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) and the Kerala Nursing Council. However, even after more than two years of operation, the institution has failed to secure mandatory recognition from the INC. The students are now worried that their future hangs in the balance without INC approval.

Currently operating out of a rented building, the students alleged that the college lacks even basic infrastructure, including properly equipped laboratories vital for clinical training. Repeated pleas to the Health Minister and concerned authorities have gone unanswered and the prolonged inaction has left them increasingly anxious as their graduation date nears, they added.

Lending their support to the protest, the Student Nurses Association of India (SNAI) strongly criticised the present state of affairs.

In a statement, SNAI Chairperson Amal Dev pointed out that the rented building housing the college does not have adequate classrooms and that over 120 students are forced to share just two toilets.

SNAI Secretary Afiya Rajesh added that, unlike the 13 other government nursing colleges in Kerala that operate within established government medical college campuses, this institution is situated 16 kms from the nearest medical college.

She also highlighted the absence of a hostel, which has left students dependent on costly private accommodations. The organisation also raised concerns that the college does not meet the Indian Nursing Council’s mandated teacher-student ratio of 1:10.