A disturbing video revealing rats scurrying inside the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Satna district hospital has sparked public fury and forced the administration into damage control. The incident has raised serious questions about hygiene standards in critical public healthcare facilities in Madhya Pradesh.
Show-Cause Notices Issued After Internal Probe
Following a detailed review of CCTV footage from the SNCU at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Government District Hospital, the authorities have swung into action. Show-cause notices have been issued to four doctors and approximately twenty nursing officers for alleged negligence, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Civil surgeon Amar Singh of Satna district hospital stated that the internal investigation involved scrutinizing the CCTV footage in detail. He also indicated that the viral video, which surfaced on social media last week, appears to have been recorded by hospital staff themselves. While pest control measures were reportedly already in place, Singh said additional instructions have been issued to strengthen preventive protocols.
A Hospital Under Intense Scrutiny
This rodent infestation scandal is not the only controversy plaguing the Satna district hospital. The facility is already under a dark cloud due to an ongoing investigation into the detection of HIV infection in six thalassaemia-affected children. The infections are allegedly linked to contaminated blood transfusions, prompting a state-level probe into the hospital's blood bank and transfusion practices.
The latest incident has intensified public scrutiny and compounded the hospital's crises. It highlights a pattern of alarming lapses in infection control and patient safety within a key public health institution.
Administration's Response and Accountability
Hospital authorities have stated that efforts are being intensified to improve infection control and hygiene, especially in sensitive units like the SNCU. The administration's current focus is on fixing accountability for the lapses exposed by the viral video.
The issuance of show-cause notices marks the first formal step in the disciplinary proceedings initiated by the district health authorities. This action underscores the severity with which the administration is treating the public outrage and the potential risk to vulnerable newborns under its care.
