After 60 students contract MRSA, Laxmi Nursing College students stage protest

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 13, 2015: Students of the Laxmi Memorial College of Nursing at Balmatta in Mangaluru staged a protest in front of their Institute on June 13, Saturday   in protest against the college management which they alleged did not allow the nearly 60 students of the Institute  who have been reportedly infected with  superbug MRSA (Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus)  to go home. It is said that as many as 60 students, mostly from Kerala have been infected with the MRSA.

The protestors alleged that bringing the matter to the notice of the college management has been futile as they have neither been given treatment, nor leave to avail treatment.

 

Sources meanwhile said the College had asked the infected students to isolate themselves and has also turned down their demand for a re-test to confirm MRSA. It has also been alleged that the infected students   were disallowed from going home and were  posted  in the post-maternity ward.

The college management however tried to downplay the issue stating things were not as serious as projected. Diana Lobo, HoD of Fundamentals of Nursing Department of Laxmi Memorial College of Nursing said so  “It is a viral infection that reduces in three days.” They even stated that  the failure of a student to adhere to guidelines  like wearing mask and washing hands  had  resulted in the infection which has spread to 60 students.

She also claimed that all students were given leave, treatment and oral administration of antibiotics.

She further stated “ MRSA is contracted through a person who is already infected. If a person is highly infected then there would be several symptoms like sore throat, fever, body pain etc. So far no student has been hospitalised, she added.

On the complaint of the students that the affected students were disallowed from going home, she said  “The Management thought it fit to do so as otherwise even the family members of the students will be affected.”