While Covid-19 positive cases are surging in Kalahandi district, a video circulating on social media which shows celebration by 180 students of the Bhawanipatna-based General Nursing midwifery (GNM) Nursing School violating Covid protocols, has sent shockwaves. The video shows an oath taking ceremony for the new students and dance performed by the students in the presence of three faculties on April 30. Besides, it shows the students dancing on stage without masks. According to the Government guidelines, all the teaching centres should have been vacated since April. The rules also mentioned that for any gathering, permission should be taken from the higher authorities.
However the nursing school continued to function. Notably, the school is located near the Covid Hospital at Kamathana, about eight km from here. However, Covid doctors and nurses are also living in the Government quarters which are located at the campus of nursing college. GNM Nursing College Principal Amita Das said, “There was no need for availing any permission from the higher authorities. “It was a welcome ceremony for the new students and I have not violated any Covid guidelines. On May 2 we vacated the school and only 3rd year students are continuing as per guideline.”
While CDMO Pratap Behera and ADMO Jalandhar Meher said they had not permitted the nursing school to celebrate the function, Kalahandi College Parag Harshad Gavali ordered a probe into the incident.
Director of Nursing Dr Sanjukta Sahoo said an inquiry would be conducted after receiving the video.