Poor waste management, improper sanitation cause for rat infestation at GMC Anantnag

Anantnag, Jan 22: Inadequate waste management and poor sanitation at the Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag have created a hazardous environment, putting patients at risk of life-threatening diseases.

The deteriorating conditions have also led to a severe rat infestation, raising serious concerns about patient safety and hygiene.

Behind the main hospital blocks, mounds of dirt and garbage, including polythene, plastic bottles, used syringes, needles, bandages, and empty medicine and saline bottles, have been left to pile up.

These heaps of waste emit a foul stench, especially during the summer, but the issue remains unaddressed.

A health official said that despite GMC Anantnag's elevation from a district hospital in 2019, the necessary infrastructure has not been upgraded.

"Changing the hospital's designation won't make a difference unless the services are improved," the official said. Adding to the crisis is the hospital’s poor sewage, seepage, and drainage systems, with liquid waste accumulating around the blocks, further degrading the environment.

"How can you expect patients to recover in such unhygienic conditions,?" a medic lamented.

The hospital recently came under fire after a viral photograph showing five rats in a medical ward sparked widespread condemnation.

Public outcry followed, with the hospital administration promising immediate measures such as trapping rodents and intensifying cleaning and disinfection efforts. However, experts argue that these measures alone will not suffice.

“The infestation stems from deeper issues. Rats have infiltrated false ceilings and gaps in the central heating system,” an entomologist said.

He stressed on the need for fumigation to address the root cause but warned that the process would require temporarily relocating patients. "Fumigation can be harmful if done without vacating the wards," he said.

The infestation poses a significant health risk, particularly to immune-compromised patients.

Medics have raised alarms, warning that even minor infections caused by the rodents could prove fatal, especially for patients with conditions like pneumonia. "This is not just a threat to patients but also to hospital staff. The presence of rodents increases the risk of infections, jeopardizing everyone in the facility," one medic said.

Social activist Rao Farman expressed outrage over the situation. "It is deeply unfortunate that patients are exposed to the threat of plague and other life-threatening diseases. Are their lives so cheap?" he asked.

He said that it is ironic that the facility has no full-fledged biodegradable waste mechanism facility in place.

Hospital officials admitted that contractors responsible for waste disposal have failed in their duties. "They must ensure that waste is not dumped on the hospital premises," an official said. He said that the poor drainage system complicates the problem. Medical Superintendent (MS) GMC Anantnag Dr Arshad Hassan, who recently took charge, assured that resolving the issue is a priority. "We are taking the matter up with relevant authorities and will ensure proper measures are implemented soon," he said.