Day after, operation clean-up

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 25

A day after Chandigarh Tribune highlighted the plight of patients living in unhygienic conditions at Sood Dharamshala, Sector 22, UT authorities sprung into action and got the toilets and floors cleaned and sanitised.

UT Adviser Manoj Parida said, “We have ordered redressal of grievances of patients. The officials concerned have also been asked to carry out an inspection.”

A patient (30), who has been at the centre for the past four days, said, “On Tuesday morning, toilets and floors were cleaned. Huge garbage bags were lifted from the quarantine centre. This did not happen in the past four days. Even the day meal tasted better, but our joy lasted only for some time as patients started complaining of bad quality food during dinner.”

A woman from Sector 47-A, who was discharged today, said, “I haven’t seen any sanitation worker cleaning floors or bathrooms during my 10-day stay at the quarantine centre. We used to clean our rooms and bathrooms ourselves.”

Even after the cleanliness drive today, some patients were left disappointed as their toilets remained clogged. “The situation here can never improve. The sanitation didn’t even last for 24 hours,” said a woman in his mid 30s.

In the videos, which were sent to Chandigarh Tribune, many bathrooms and roofs of various rooms had seepage and in some rooms, water was dripping on beds.

According to a source in the Health Department, toilets need repair and work will start soon. There are other maintenance issues as well.

On Monday, Chandigarh Tribune reported ‘Poor hygeine irks coronavirus patients at Sood Dharamshala’.

The patients cried foul over toilets that had not been cleaned and stinking for many days and overflowing garbage. A patient has also written an email to the UT Administration and the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the pitiable condition of the centre.