Shimla Hospital Scandal: Stray Dog Carries Severed Human Foot, Prompting Staff Notices and Waste Review
A deeply unsettling incident has rocked the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS) in Chamiana, Shimla, where a viral video surfaced on Tuesday showing a stray dog carrying a severed human foot. This shocking event has triggered immediate administrative action, including show-cause notices to sanitation personnel and a strict review of biomedical waste disposal practices.
Administrative Response and Fact-Finding Inquiry
In response to the viral footage, the hospital administration swiftly constituted a three-member fact-finding committee on Tuesday morning to investigate the lapses and assign responsibility. The committee's report revealed critical failures in protocol. It was found that a patient underwent an above-knee amputation on February 19 under the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) department. The amputated limb was properly packed and stored in the biomedical waste complex, awaiting disposal.
However, on the night of February 21, sanitation workers left the complex door open and unattended while depositing waste. This breach allowed a stray dog to access the area, and it is suspected that the animal took the limb during this unsupervised period. Despite subsequent efforts, the missing body part could not be located until February 24, when a dog was spotted carrying it in its mouth. Security personnel attempted to retrieve the human foot, but the dog became aggressive and fled the scene.
Disciplinary Measures and Waste Management Directives
Based on the inquiry findings, the hospital administration issued show-cause notices to the sanitation workers and the sanitation supervisor who were on duty that night. Further disciplinary actions are anticipated after their replies are reviewed. Additionally, the sanitation contractor has been directed to strictly adhere to biomedical waste storage and disposal guidelines to prevent such incidents in the future.
The biomedical waste disposal agency has also been instructed to ensure timely clearance of waste from the hospital premises. This incident underscores severe lapses in handling sensitive medical waste, raising concerns about safety and hygiene standards at the facility.
Broader Implications and Public Concern
This event has sparked widespread alarm and highlighted potential vulnerabilities in biomedical waste management systems. The viral video has not only embarrassed the institution but also prompted calls for stricter enforcement of regulations to safeguard public health and dignity. Authorities are now focusing on reinforcing protocols to ensure such a disturbing breach does not recur, emphasizing the critical need for vigilance in medical waste handling.
