The city’s new additional municipal commissioner (health) has made more than a hundred visits to various BMC health facilities in two months
The entry of rodents from outside into hospitals is a problem
BMC-run health facilities are frequently criticised for poor hygiene; and that criticism is valid. Now though, things seem to be changing. The city’s new additional municipal commissioner (health) has made more than a hundred visits to various BMC health facilities in two months. One eyewitness said in a report that he had seen sanitation work being done even at midnight.
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Earlier, this edit column had highlighted the efficacy of surprise checks undertaken by the top official.
If this is the richest municipal corporation in India, there is no reason for civic-run hospitals to be dirty and sanitation measures gone with the wind.
In fact, hygiene is the cornerstone of health. If your basics are not in place then there is little point giving the best treatment in the world to the patient. Even visiting areas and common-use areas like corridors and waiting rooms and counters need to be clean and well-maintained. Most importantly, toilets in these areas open to use for visitors must be extremely clean. Even those arriving at the hospital with patients must understand that cleanliness is top of the health pyramid.
For years now, unfortunately these slipshod conditions have become a given at civic hospitals. Since this is so common not many people bat an eyelid when the dirty and unclean surroundings are pointed out. Today though, one is happy that the picture is changing.
What is most important though the cleanliness must be consistent and long-term, in fact, forever. Never mind which commissioner is at the top, the situation must not be allowed to deteriorate. Only then, can we see lasting change, with conditions that are not cringe-worthy for staffers, visitors and patients.