Warangal:Despite repeated directives from higher authorities and district collectors to maintain hygiene in government hospitals and their surroundings, cases of rodents entering hospitals and creating panic among patients are frequently occurring in Hanamkonda and Warangal districts.
On November 9, R.V. Karnan, the commissioner of the Telangana State Health and Family Welfare Department, during his visit to the Chanda Kanthaiah Memorial (CKM) Government Maternity Hospital in Warangal, expressed anger at the hospital staff for poor maintenance and sanitation.
District collector Satya Sharada also held a review meeting on Tuesday with the health officials of CKM Hospital and questioned them about the steps they have taken to prevent rodents in the hospital. She ordered them to arrange separate baskets for the disposal of food materials and medical waste and to take immediate measures to prevent rats from entering the hospital.
However, on Tuesday, patients and their attendants at the Government Maternity Hospital in Hanamkonda were shocked after seeing rodents consuming their stored food and climbing onto their beds.
The patients alleged that for the past two days, they have been witnessing rodents entering their wards and freely moving within the hospital. When they reported the issue to the hospital staff, no action was taken.
District medical and health officer Dr Appaiah, speaking to Deccan Chronicle, said that rodents did enter the wards. Attendants took pictures of rodents roaming outside the hospital wards and posted them on social media.
Orders were issued to hospital staff to eliminate the rodent menace in the hospital and its surroundings and to maintain cleanliness on the premises and in various wards, he said.
One of the hospital staff, speaking to Deccan Chronicle on the condition of anonymity, stated that many attendants who visit the hospital are throwing their food waste in the hospital surroundings, leading to a rise in the rodent population.
"On several occasions, we have insisted that they maintain the wards where they stay and not throw leftover food outside their wards, but they do not listen. It is their carelessness that invites rodents into the hospital," she added.
