Hygiene hits rock bottom as rat infestation plagues GMC Anantnag

Anantnag, Dec 30: Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag is facing severe criticism following reports of a rat infestation, with rodents seen running across patient beds and hospital floors.A viral photograph showing five rats in a medical ward of the hospital has sparked widespread concerns about patient safety and hygiene standards, leading to strong public condemnation. “It is deeply unfortunate that our patients are exposed to the threat of plague. Are our lives so cheap,” posted Asif Bhat on X (formerly Twitter).Patients’ attendants also shared their distress. Shaista Akhtar, attending to his father suffering from pneumonia, expressed concern about the safety of indoor patients. “Rats are everywhere—under the beds, inside the central heating system, and even on trolleys,” she said.Medics have raised alarms about the health risks posed by the infestation, particularly to immune-compromised patients. “For patients, especially those with pneumonia, even a minor infection caused by these rodents could be fatal,” warned a medic. The issue is not limited to patient wards.Hospital staff have reported rat sightings in medical investigation facilities, including laboratories. Medics said the infestation stems from poor waste management practices, which provide an ideal breeding ground for rodents.”This is not just a health hazard for patients but also for staff. The presence of rodents could lead to the spread of infections, compounding the risk to vulnerable individuals,” they said This is not the first time such issues have surfaced; previous cases of rat bites in the hospital have also been reported.The hospital administration has acknowledged the issue and assured that steps are being taken to address the infestation. “We are investigating the authenticity of the viral photograph and have formed a committee to look into the matter,” said Dr Rukhsana Najeeb, Principal of GMC Anantnag.She said that a rodent control contract is already in place, and we have called in a pest control team to resolve the issue. “They have assured us of a thorough cleanup,” Dr Najeeb said. She also cited food particles as one of the reasons attracting rodents. “To tackle the infestation, we have already taken immediate measures including trapping the rodents and enhancing cleaning and disinfection efforts,” she said.Dr Najeeb also sought cooperation of attendants of patients to keep the hospital clean and get rid of rat menace. But a medic in the hospital sarcastically remarked, “Call the Pied Piper to get rid of the rats,” alluding to the famous tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.