New Delhi: Already weighed down by intense academic pressure, thesis work and long hospital duties, medical students and resident doctors in at least two institutes in the city are struggling for something as basic as internet access.Those at University College of Medical Sciences, attached to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital (GTB), are hobbled by the lack of reliable Wi-Fi access. Despite repeatedly raising the issue with the librarian and other authorities, the students say no concrete action has been taken. They point out that modern medical education relies heavily on digital platforms, online journals, e-books, research databases and academic portals. Resident doctors use tablets and other digital devices to access books, medical journals and research material essential for patient care, apart from ongoing academic work. In the current situation, however, accessing these resources has become a challenge, they say.While the college provides seven to eight computers with internet access in the library, the students point out that this is insufficient considering the large number of users. Moreover, the library closes in the evening, leaving the residents — many of them work long and irregular hospital hours — without Wi-Fi access during crucial study time.The Resident Doctor’s Association has raised the issue, to which the university’s library officials have replied that they have communicated their worries with the concerned department and requested the students to “bear with the inconvenience” caused in the interim. “The library understands the importance of uninterrupted internet access for academic and research purposes, especially for accessing e-resources, online journals, databases and other study materials. The Wi-Fi infrastructure is managed by the department of biostatistics and medical informatics. The decision regarding extending Wi-Fi access to students and residents is an institutional matter and is subject to administrative approval and technical feasibility, as determined by the competent authority. The library communicated this with the concerned department/authorities on Dec 30, 2025, for their consideration and resolution at the earliest,” according to a letter dated Feb 12, 2026.The students say that uninterrupted internet access is a basic academic necessity, especially in a medical institution where up-to-date research and digital learning tools are integral to training and patient care. “Apart from the library, there’s a reading room, but it lacks Wi-Fi connectivity. We are not asking for some luxury,” said a resident doctor at GTB, requesting anonymity.Upon reaching out to the administration, an official replied to TOI, saying, “This is not correct information.” However, no response to a follow-up question was provided.Students at Maulana Azad Medical College, too, echo similar concerns. “The library here has a Wi-Fi connection, but it closes around 7 pm. Our books are bulky, so we cannot carry them everywhere. Besides, we have research work to conduct, write our thesis and often read journals. Seamless Wi-Fi is a basic requirement, but both UG and PG students are being forced to stay connected to the internet at their personal expense,” said a resident doctor at MAMC.
