Filth, stench, chaos: Civil Hospital’s dismal state raises health concerns
Even as tall claims are made about improving the health sector in the state, the condition of the Civil Hospital here tells a different story. The hospital, which sees a huge fall of patients daily, has turned into a breeding ground for diseases due to filth, choked sewers and stagnant water. The stench near the Child Care ward is unbearable, and stray dogs roam freely across the premises, making a mockery of the basic hygiene and safety standards.
Despite being a crucial healthcare facility in the city, the hospital looks anything but a place for seeking treatement. Waste is scattered all around and it is evident that cleanliness is simply not a priority. The foul smell emanating from various corners of the hospital forces visitors to cover their faces, whilst the stagnant water at different spots outside the Child Care ward are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes, raising fears of vector-borne diseases.
Inside the hospital, the situation is equally appalling. The wards and corridors are littered with garbage, with washrooms in a horrific state. Patients have long complained about the unhygienic conditions, but nothing has changed.
A ground check by The Tribune team revealed choked washbasins filled with floating waste, while the urinals, both wall and floor-mounted, were overflowing with filth. The stench inside made it impossible to stand even for a few seconds.
Patients and their attendants are outraged at the miserable state of affairs. Jaswinder Singh, who brought his father for treatment, said, “We come here to get treated, not to fall sick. The condition of this hospital is just not right and needs the intervention of the higher authorities. How can anyone recover in such an environment?”
Another patient, Sukhpreet Kaur, said, “Stray dogs roam around freely, sometimes even inside wards. People have been chased and bitten, yet no one does anything about it. The poor condition of the Civil Hospital raises serious concerns and action must be taken in this regard.”
Beyond the filth and safety concerns, patients also face severe mismanagement. Visitors complained that they are often left wandering in the hospital, unsure of where to go with no staff present at the help desks. “There’s no system here. We have to rely on other patients to figure out where the right counters or wards are,” said Ravi Kumar, who was struggling to get his elderly mother’s tests done.
Meanwhile, Medical Superintendent, Geeta Kataria, couldn’t be contacted despite repeated attempts.
Senior Medical Officer Dr Satinder Bajaj said Member of Parliament (MP) Sanjeev Arora had allocated Rs 45 lakh from the MPLAD fund, and the PWD had been assigned to overhaul the entire sewerage system at the Civil Hospital. Once the work was completed, the long-standing sewerage issue would be resolved, he said.
About waste management, Bajaj said the hospital had requested the MC to increase garbage collection to twice a day, given the daily footfall of over 1,500 and the significant waste being generated at the place. He highlighted that the hospital, with 500 beds, had only 38 sweepers, with three to four often on leave, making cleanliness maintenance difficult. However, he noted that approval had been granted for 10 additional sweepers, which should help improve the situation.
On the issue of stray dogs, Bajaj said repeated requests had been made to the MC in this regard, but no action had been taken. He added that the hospital was also acquiring new machinery as part of its broader efforts to maintain a clean and safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.
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