The 28th edition of the much-awaited IIT Bombay (IIT-B) Techfest kicked off on Tuesday, attracting a huge crowd with its showcase of cutting-edge innovations and technology. But while the event was buzzing with excitement, an incident involving two students from IIIT Chennai has sparked outrage and debate on social media.

A Shocking Experience in IITB's Hospital

One of the IIIT Chennai students, who had come to participate in the competitions, shared a distressing experience he had with the healthcare facilities at IIT Bombay. He recounted how his friend, suffering from a high fever, was refused treatment at the campus hospital simply because they were from IIIT Chennai, not IIT Bombay.

In his post, he expressed his frustration:

'Im here (in IITB) for participating in some competitions in Techfest. My friend was really sick with high fever and body weakness, so I took him to the hospital which is in IITB itself. The attending doctor and nurses didn’t care about who was the patient. They just went, ‘Are you from IIT? Are you from IIT?’ (in Hindi). I replied, ‘We’re from IIIT Chennai,’ and they thought we were from IIT Chennai. They sat us down, and I told them my friend’s symptoms and got his temperature checked. It was 104 degrees."

The situation continued to worsen as the doctor asked for their IIT registration details:

"The doctor then said, ‘Give me his IIT registration number and ID card’ (in Hindi). We gave it, and this old, not at all gentleman was really mad because we lied about being from IIT and wasted his time. Like, what’s wrong with doctors? I thought being a doctor meant committing to helping people with their sufferings?"

He went on to express how both the doctor and the nurses reacted negatively:

"The nurses over there were also really mad. Like, wow. The doctor then said, ‘This is only for IITians and not for anyone else,’ to which I replied, ‘So only IITians are allowed to get treated here?’ He goes, ‘Yeah, that’s the rule. I have no obligation to treat people who aren’t IITians. You go to some other external hospital.’"

Doctors Should Help, Not Judge

The student's post quickly gained traction, with many expressing their anger at the treatment his friend received. He questioned the doctor's attitude, saying:

"Doctors should be doctors, not businessmen. Either change your attitude or profession, Mr. Not At All Gentleman."

The student's frustration was evident as he shared how his friend was in severe discomfort, but the medical staff refused to offer basic care.

The post struck a chord with many, especially those who believed healthcare should be available to all, irrespective of which institution one belongs to.

Read the post here:

Mixed Reactions on Reddit

The incident quickly became a topic of discussion on Reddit, with users sharing divided opinions. Some criticized IIT Bombay's policies and the lack of facilities for external students during the event, while others defended the institution’s stance.

One user commented, "This is a horrible protocol, but back in my day, the health center had clear policies about who could be treated. It was mainly due to insurance policies, skill sets, and reporting requirements. I would have hoped things improved, but it seems like some practices at IITs never change."

However, another user offered a different perspective, saying, "You could have gone to the hospital just outside the campus. It’s only five minutes away. The campus hospital is meant for students, staff, and faculty of IITB. It’s not for outsiders, just like how army canteens are only for army personnel."

Understanding the Doctor's Position

Some Reddit users attempted to justify the doctor's behavior, stating that the doctor works in an OPD (outpatient department) and his time is valuable, particularly when he is compensated based on the number of visitors he treats. According to this view, the doctor may have felt his time was "wasted" treating someone from outside IITB.

One Reddit user explained, "The hospital staff likely sees their work as catering to IITB residents, and if you’re not part of the community, they may feel it’s not their responsibility to treat you. However, the event management team should have ensured that external students had access to proper medical facilities."

As the conversation continues, one thing remains clear: when it comes to healthcare, there should be no boundaries, especially for students participating in events meant to foster innovation and collaboration.