PSHRC takes note of rodent menace at Rajindra hospital, issues notices
Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) Chairperson Justice Sant Parkash has asked the authorities concerned to file a report on the prevailing rodent menace at Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala.
The Principal Secretary (Health), Deputy Commissioner, Patiala, and Civil Surgeon, Patiala, have been asked to submit reports a week before the next date of hearing on January 22, 2025.
On Monday, The Tribune had reported how the authorities were struggling to keep patients, infrastructure and doctors safe from rats.
The authorities have reportedly asked the private agency engaged to kill rodents to expedite the work. The state Health Minister has, meanwhile, vowed to “make all government hospitals rat-free”.
“Not even for two minutes can you leave your belongings or food items unattended. Even the blood soaked cotton and other waste need to be disposed of with extra care as rats try to feed on these,” said hospital sweeper Mandeep Singh (name changed). “You can see hundreds of burrows near the hospital building,” he added.
A senior doctor said there had been at least three incidents of power outage in the recent past after rats damaged the electricity cables. “Every other day, water pipes, sewerage and parked cars are targeted by rodents,” she said.
Medical Superintendent Dr Girish Sahni said he had asked the private firm to start rodent control work at the earliest. “We will monitor their work. They have assured us of notable changes over the next couple of months,” said Dr Sahni. “We have faced certain issues due to rats in the past and are taking every step to make the premises rodent-free,” he added.
Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, who is also an MLA from Patiala, said all government medical facilities in the state would be made rat-free. “In case of the Patiala hospital, we have already awarded a contract and roped in an NGO to tackle the menace. We are spending around Rs 2 lakh on it and hope the situation will be under control soon,” said the minister.
