A nursing college in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior has come under scrutiny after a ground inspection by India Today found the hospital attached to the institute locked and apparently non-functional, despite claims that it is a fully equipped 100-bed facility.
The discovery has triggered serious questions about how nursing colleges obtain recognition and whether institutions meant to provide clinical training are functioning in reality or only on paper.
The hospital in question is Dhakre Multispecialty Hospital, linked to Maharana Pratap College of Nursing Science and Research Institute and Maharana Pratap School of Nursing. According to the college records, it serves as the affiliated teaching hospital for nursing students.
When India Today’s team visited the premises, the main gate was found locked. The condition of the lock suggested that the building had not been opened for a considerable period.
Looking inside, the premises appeared deserted. Wards looked empty, no patients were seen, and there were no signs of routine hospital activity. Construction material and bricks were lying outside, while a newly installed hoarding carrying the hospital’s name was visible at the entrance.
No staff members from the nursing college were present during the visit. The only person found on the premises identified himself as an employee of a different dental institute.
The situation has raised a critical question: if the hospital designated for practical training is itself shut, how are nursing students receiving the clinical exposure required for their courses?
Hospital operator Shivendra Singh Dhakre disputed the suggestion that the institution is permanently closed.
He told India Today that the facility had functioned during the Covid-19 period but was shut afterwards. According to him, preparations are underway to restart operations.
Dhakre claimed the hospital has 100 beds, X-ray and ultrasound facilities, a 20-bed ICU, doctors, nursing staff and pathology services.
He said the OPD was functioning and that the hospital had been closed for two days to complete work directed during a recent inspection by the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO).
“The hospital keys are with the supervisor,” he said, adding that repairs to a damaged oxygen line were in progress.
He also stated that some students from batches up to 2023 were enrolled, though a few had withdrawn because of delays in completing their courses.
The controversy comes amid a wider examination of nursing colleges in the Gwalior division.
Around 50 institutions have applied for recognition for the 2026-27 academic session, and inspections of 38 colleges are being conducted under the directions of Collector Ruchika Chauhan.
Revenue officials, including Naib Tehsildars and Tehsildars, have been asked to join CMHO inspection teams, and reports have been sought within three days.
The issue has a larger backdrop. Allegations regarding irregularities in nursing colleges and affiliated hospitals across Madhya Pradesh had earlier reached the High Court, after which the state government halted the recognition process. Fresh inspections are now being conducted before further approvals are granted.
For now, the claims of the management stand in contrast to the conditions captured on camera.
The findings of the district administration’s inquiry and subsequent action by the Health Department will determine whether the institution meets the standards required for nursing education and whether the inspection process adequately reflects ground realities.
– Ends
Published On:
Aug 8, 2026 17:45 IST
