STUDENTS ON HUNGER STRIKE FALL ILL

REPORT CAME IN TODAY'S TIMES OF INDIA MEDICOS WHO ARE ON HUNGER STRIKE FALL ILL..CHIEF MINISTER HAD CALLED STUDENTS WHO ARE ON STRIKE FOR MEETING WITH HIM..STUDENTS WHO ARE ON STRIKE FALL ILL

HERE IS THE REPORT THAT CAME TODAY IN TIMES OF INDIA

Medicos on hunger strike take ill

LUCKNOW: Four of the 50-odd medical students on a hunger strike in protest against state government's decision to hold the UP Post Graduate Medical Entrance Exam 2013, took ill late Friday night. The students were taken toBalrampur hospital where they tested positive to "presence of ketone bodies" in a pathological examination. The students were recommended immediate hospitalisation or forced feeding. The other students were dehydrated though their blood pressure levels were normal.

Ketone bodies are toxins released in the body when its stored fat starts metabolizing due to prolong starvation. If not checked, it can lead to a condition called ketosis which may cause multi-organ failure. Immediate hospitalisation and forced feeding through ryles tube are the only option to save life.

Director Balrampur hospital, Dr TP Singh informed officials in the district administration about the development as a result of which, additional district magistrate (West) SP Shahi went to meet the strikingstudents and tried his best to convince the students to withdraw their hunger strike. He also took a delegation of the students for an interface with principal secretary medical education, JP Sharma, but the students remained adamant.

The medical students are demanding cancellation of UPPGMEE because they feel the exam was a waste of their time, energy and effort. They stated that they had already taken the national eligibility cum entrance test (NEET) and the state government had agreed to admit students against post graduate seats through the score obtained in the national exam. NEET is caught in litigation in Supreme Court after certain states opposed criteria of exam.

Talking to reporters, JP Sharma said, "As of now, UPPGME exam would take place as per schedule unless otherwise." He, however, stated that he would inform chief minister about the developments. Officials maintained they were holding the exam on March 31 on the instructions of the apex court.