Incident Raises Serious Concerns
An 89-year-old woman admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Government Hospital allegedly suffered a rat bite on Sunday night and died a few hours later. The incident has triggered serious concerns regarding hygiene and patient safety in government healthcare facilities.
Patient Admission and Condition
The patient, Suhasini Matekar, had been admitted on March 12 and was undergoing treatment for multiple ailments, including a lower respiratory tract infection. Doctors had placed her on ventilator support in the ICU on the fourth floor due to her critical condition.
Discovery of Injuries by Family Members
The incident came to light on Monday morning when the patient’s relatives visited her and noticed injuries on her hand that appeared to be caused by a rat bite. They also observed blood loss from the wounds.
Moreover, the family alleged that the on-duty medical and nursing staff were unaware of the injuries until they brought the matter to their attention.
Family Alleges Negligence
As reported by TOI, the patient’s daughter, Milan Desai, claimed that she had previously noticed rat activity in the ICU, including footprints. She further alleged that her mother’s death resulted from blood loss caused by the bites and that the last medical check-up had taken place around 2:30 a.m.
Similarly, her son, Milind Matekar, expressed shock over the incident, stating that the staff acted only after the family highlighted the injuries.
Administrative Action and Staff Transfers
Following the incident, authorities transferred a medical officer and a nursing staff member from the hospital to Thane Civil Hospital with immediate effect. In addition, hospital authorities issued show-cause notices to the staff on duty and initiated a departmental inquiry.
Hospital’s Response and Explanation
Jafar Tadvi, dean of the hospital, attributed the presence of rats to ongoing construction activities around the premises. He explained that excavation work had led to an increase in rodent activity.
He also stated that the hospital conducts weekly pest control and anti-rodent measures. Furthermore, he confirmed that once staff identified the alleged rat bites, they immediately initiated treatment.
Public Outrage and Political Reactions
The incident sparked outrage among locals, who questioned the hospital’s hygiene standards, particularly given that the ICU is located on the fourth floor.
Sandeep Rane, district president of MNS, termed the incident a case of gross negligence. He questioned how a rat could access the ICU and injure a critically ill patient. Additionally, he alleged lapses in pest control measures and demanded strict action, including the suspension of the hospital dean and ICU in-charge.
Conclusion: Urgent Need for Accountability and Safety Measures
Overall, the incident highlights critical gaps in hospital hygiene and monitoring systems. As investigations continue, it underscores the urgent need for stricter infection control, pest management, and accountability to ensure patient safety in healthcare institutions.