Inspect, file report on sanitation, security and basic facilities at Trichy govt hospital: HC
The petitioner stated that sanitation and hygiene in govt hospitals are the foundation of public health. It is the duty of the state to ensure that every citizen who seeks medical treatment in a public hospital is provided with a clean and safe environment, free from infection and disease. However, in most govt hospitals across the state, including the govt hospital in Trichy, this basic obligation is not being fulfilled. Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Govt Hospital in Trichy is a major healthcare institution catering to a large number of patients from Trichy and neighbouring districts. Patients approaching the govt hospital are often people who are economically vulnerable. Jayashree stated that she came across a news report in July concerning a shocking incident in which a postoperative care patient at the hospital was bitten by a rat while she was undergoing treatment in the ward. The incident raises serious questions regarding the maintenance of basic hygiene and patient safety within the hospital. The incident assumes greater seriousness as the patient was an elderly person and was stated to be diabetic. If a patient is bitten by a rodent inside a govt hospital after repeated complaints regarding rodent infestation, it reflects a serious failure in the maintenance of a safe and hygienic treatment environment and calls for an immediate institutional inquiry. The petitioner stated that several toilet doors were found broken, compromising the privacy and dignity of patients and their attendants. The general condition of the restroom facilities was also found to be unsatisfactory, including inadequate cleaning and maintenance and deficiencies relating to basic water and hygiene facilities. There was also stagnation of drainage water within the premises. Hence, she moved court seeking a direction to take steps to ensure basic facilities such as patient safety, sanitation, hygiene, security and infrastructural measures at the hospital. The petitioner also sought to provide compensation to the patient who was bitten by a rat.
Madurai : Madras high court on Tuesday directed Trichy corporation commissioner and the dean of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Govt Hospital to inspect and file a report to the court on the sanitation, security and basic facilities in the hospital.