PANAJI
The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has termed a rat bite that left an admitted patient bleeding at Goa Medical College a “serious human rights violation,” holding that the incident reflected negligence by the authorities in preventing such occurrences.
The Commission has, therefore, recommended night-time rodent control, sealing entry points in hospital wards and surprise inspections to address lapses in sanitation and hygiene.
In its inquiry report released on Wednesday, the Commission of Chairperson Justice Bharat Deshpande, and Members Desmond D'Costa and Pramod Kamat observed that the incident exposed lapses in ensuring a safe and hygienic hospital environment.
"The Hospital Administration take adequate steps to ensure a safe, clean and hygienic environment for patients and the staff, by necessary preventive and corrective measure on continuous basis, so as to maintain proper sanitation and cleanness at all time in the Wards. The Respondents (GMC and Health Secretary) start night treatment for rodents and the entry and exist points in all wards shall be properly sealed to prevent the entry of rodents. So also, the Respondents to conduct surprise inspections to ensure
compliances with infection control, Hygiene, sanitation and waste management’s practices," it recommended.
The complaint was filed by Yuvraj Mandrekar of Chorao on August 31, following an incident in Ward III of GMC on August 29. According to the inquiry report, the patient was bitten on the leg by a rat while sleeping, resulting in severe bleeding.
“In the facts of the present case, the occurrence of the rat bite incident in the Goa Medical College, Bambolim, brings out a serious human right violation, due to the negligence of the authorities in taking adequate steps to prevent such incidents,” the Commission observed.
The hospital authorities, in their reply dated October 14, submitted that prompt action had been taken after the incident and preventive measures had been initiated against rodents, insects and other pests. They also stated that windows in the wards had been covered with acrylic sheets and protective netting had been provided.
The authorities further informed the Commission that Eco-clean Systems and Solutions had been engaged for pest-control activities on the hospital premises since 2017. Their advocate, Harsha Naik, also submitted that the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) collected garbage only once a day, in the morning.
The Commission, however, recommended that the hospital administration take continuous preventive and corrective measures to ensure a safe, clean and hygienic environment for patients and staff, with proper sanitation and cleanliness maintained in the wards at all times.
It also recommended that the CCP collect general solid waste from the hospital wards at least twice daily to prevent waste from accumulating. The capacity of dustbins in the wards should be increased to accommodate the daily quantity of food waste, the report said.
The Commission further recommended that heads of departments, unit heads and ward in-charges conduct regular rounds to monitor cleanliness and report deficiencies to higher authorities.
To improve waste segregation, it directed that biomedical waste management posters and hand-washing stickers be displayed in Konkani, Marathi, Hindi and English. Multi-tasking staff should also be deployed across wards, outpatient departments and other departments to ensure proper waste segregation and educate admitted patients on the use of colour-coded bags.
The Commission has sought comments from the respondents, including details of action taken or proposed, by December 22.
