The death of a critically-ill patient, who was bitten by rodents as he lay unconscious in the ICU of MGM Hospital in Warangal, has raised a volley of questions over the sanitation standards in government hospitals in the State.
K. Srinivas, 38, was admitted to MGM Hospital in Warangal, the biggest city in Telangana next to Hyderabad, for treatment of lung and kidney ailments. A couple of days later, his family complained about injuries reportedly caused by rodent bite even as his ‘treatment’ was under way.
As news of ‘rodents biting patient in government hospital’ sent shock waves across the State, an embarrassed Health Minister T. Harish Rao swung into action, suspending two doctors and transferring the hospital superintendent. Even as the authorities were preparing to unveil a series of measures to check recurrence of such instances, the patient, who was shifted to NIMS in Hyderabad, died while undergoing treatment.
What are the facilities, if there are any, available to patients opting for government hospitals in Telangana? What is the quality of such services? These questions are staring at the official machinery now, with the death of Srinivas being widely discussed by concerned citizens.
Along with patients and their attendants, some of the regular visitors to the District Hospital in Sangareddy are dogs and pigs. At Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad, rodents creep out of holes when the sun sets, to gnaw at leftovers thrown on the steps of the out-patient block. These scenes were witnessed a day after the rodent bite incident at Warangal came to light.
The appalling situation is not limited to these hospitals. Leftover food, diapers and sundry garbage were found on attics abutting ward windows at Niloufer Hospital in Hyderabad too.
The lack of basic hygiene is visible in many a government healthcare facility despite the State government announcing ‘Arogya Telangana’ (Healthy Telangana) as a top priority.
Troubling factors
The fact that rodents entered an ICU where helpless patients are supposed to be observed round the clock has left people shell-shocked. The first thought that comes to mind is the possible threat to patients from rodents, dogs and cats at some of the government hospitals. The second is how no healthcare worker noticed the patient bleeding due to rodent bites in the ICU.
Several of the district hospitals are crying for attention, particularly in the area of sanitation and clean environment. The problems are amplified when it comes to older buildings.
The sorry state of affairs at the Sangareddy district headquarters hospital is clearly evident as dogs and pigs have a free run on the premises. Given the lack of facilities, attendants of the patients are forced to stay outside and eat their food there itself. The leftovers attract the stray animals into the hospital premises.
“We have constructed a compound wall several times, but the locals breach the wall and create a passage despite our appeals and warnings. That allows dogs, pigs and other animals to enter our premises. Some villagers even leave their cattle here because of the greenery. Still, we are trying to do our best,” said Dr Sangareddy, Superintendent of the hospital, adding that they have not received any complaint regarding rodents.
Who is responsible?
Agitated over the transfer of MGM Hospital Superintendent and termination of services of two doctors, healthcare workers in the government sector say that contractors, who are given the task of sanitation, must be held responsible for any lapses.
“Attendants of patients sit in corridors, or any place they find to have food. They throw leftovers from the windows, dump the food covers, and wash hands in a corner. That is the reason you see food particles and garbage on attics. If a clean space with tables and washbasins is provided for attendants to eat, the issue of garbage and litter might come down. All hospitals should have a space dedicated for people to eat,” said a government doctor on the condition of anonymity.
Other doctors questioned why was action not taken on the contractor who has to ensure the premises are clean. Take the example of Soora Venkanna, a resident of Vangamarthi village, who got admitted to Nalgonda district hospital with a broken leg following an accident. On February 22, a week after he got admitted, he was administered anaesthesia ahead of the surgery. But the surgery was cancelled and Venkanna lay there sedated for as long as he could.
“The surgery got cancelled as a technician was not available and the scans were not ready at the last minute. It was not the doctors’ fault,” Venkanna’s attendants said. The surgery was performed a day later after activists intervened and petitioned top officials. The officials reportedly got a technician transferred to Nalgonda district hospital from Miryalaguda area hospital post the incident.
Reportedly, the issue was also taken to the notice of Telangana High Court, and the hospital was served notices.
According to CPI (M) leader Paladugu Nagarjuna, another side to the poor state of the district hospital is the lack of consistent access to diagnostic services. “No tests can be done, whether CT scan, X-ray or ultrasonography, after 12 noon as officials point at low voltage, or replacement of old machines,” he said.
For district coordinator of health services Mathru Naik, the condition of Miryalaguda, Devarakonda, Nakrekal and Nagarjunasagar hospitals, under his control, has improved drastically with more staff nurses and doctors.
Several mortuaries in the hospitals are being renovated, certain community health centres were being upgraded and centres like Miryalaguda and Devarakonda with three gynaecologists are conducting deliveries on par with the district hospital. He said the government was allocating sufficient budget and doctors, too, were being monitored with target-oriented work schedule.
Rodent control
Director of Medical Education K. Ramesh Reddy has passed on a set of instructions to hospital superintendents to check rodent menace. “We will provide designated places for attendants to have food. Wash basins and garbage bins will be duly placed. A circular will be issued to hospitals to make sure that food is not left over in canteens, especially at night. The food should be packed and disposed of,” said Dr Ramesh Reddy.
The senior official visited MGM Hospital on Friday to address the issues. He also instructed healthcare professionals to be at their designated places during duty hours.
A review meeting was also held with superintendents of government hospitals on Friday. An important point of the meeting was discussion on places where rodents are seen, and how they find their way into wards.
The superintendents, too, listed suggestions such as repairing leakages in sewage lines to keep rodents at bay.
(Additional reporting by P. Sridhar in Karimnagar, R. Avadhani & B. Pradeep in Hyderabad)
