For ensuring Rodent-free civil hospital, DC orders health dept to frame SOPs of cleanliness and safe disposal of eatables

Ludhiana, April 12, 2024: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sakshi Sawhney on Friday ordered the health department to frame Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure cleanliness inside and around the civil hospital.

Accompanied by MC Commissioner Sandeep Rishi and other officials from civil administration, Municipal Corporation Ludhiana (MCL) and health department, Sawhney visited Mother and Child Centre, other parts of the hospital and static compactor site established at the backside of the hospital. 

On the recommendations of experts from PAU's Zoology department, Sawhney said that no outside food should be allowed inside the wards, as it attracts rats. Nursing and security staff must be strict in enforcing this. Hospital authorities must also ensure the safe disposal of food given to new mothers. She told the health department to designate a dedicated place outside the premises of the hospital for NGOs which distribute food to the patients and their attendants. Besides, they must be encouraged to maintain cleanliness and waste must be disposed off properly.

Sawhney added that, with the help of experts from PAU's Zoology department, most of the entry points for rats had been blocked and plant-based rat repellents, spray, and rat traps had been used. This had resolved around 70% of the rat issue. She said that the teams were working round the clock to eliminate the rat menace completely. She said that PAU experts would also hold a training workshop for the housekeeping staff of the hospital in this regard. 

The Deputy Commissioner also made a round of the wards in Mother and Child Centre and issued strict directions to hospital officials to make a detailed plan for seating arrangements for attendants. She also asked the hospital authorities to send her a proposal about need of beds, bed sheets, fans and other equipment they need so that work can be done accordingly at the earliest. She also asked the officials to immediately remove the stagnant water and debris from the ground floor. 

Sawhney checked the hospital's fire fighting system and ordered officials to prepare a detailed report on improving the system to avoid any untoward incident. 

Later, she went to the static compactor site established at the backside of the civil hospital. The compactors have been established to remove the open garbage dump at the site and the open dump would be cleared within a few days. DC Sawhney directed the concerned officials to permanently deploy MC staff, PCR to keep vigil on those dumping the garbage outside and take action against the litterbugs. 

Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included MC Joint Commissioner Navneet Kaur Bal, SDM Deepak Bhatia, Assistant Commissioner (UT) Kritika Goyal, Civil Surgeon Dr Jasbir Singh Aulakh and others.