IT is disappointing to note that the administration of Dow Medical College (DMC) in Karachi pays little attention to the basic but critical elements of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation. Despite being the oldest and the best medical college in Sindh, the DMC does not have a single clean and completely functional washroom for its students. Not only are the toilets very few in number and far away from the classrooms, but their condition is beyond disgusting.

We, as medical students, study and raise awareness about the infections that spread through unsanitary conditions, but are helpless to use dirty washrooms ourselves.

The toilet seats are broken, the drains are clogged, the flush tanks are out of order, and the hand showers leak; and, by the way, they leak when they are working which is not always the case.

Moreover, the toilet floor is wet, slimy and smelly. The students have to spend approximately seven hours on the campus so they need to use the washrooms.

The university needs to ensure that the number of washrooms is proportional to the number of students on the campus. About 10 functional commodes for a university of more than 1,700 students are simply not enough. No wonder they are found in broken conditions with clogged drains.

Additionally, the number of janitorial staff should be increased to ensure cleanliness at least in the relevant area if not across the campus. The authorities concerned should ensure enough hygienic and functional washrooms at the highly reputable medical college.

Ayesha M.
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2021