Gurgaon: The Haryana health department has directed all government hospitals and healthcare facilities across the state to identify and dispose of condemned, obsolete, and unserviceable articles lying on their premises, citing concerns over space constraints, sanitation, and patient safety.
Directive issued by health services director general
The directive was issued by Haryana’s director general of health services to all civil surgeons and heads of district hospitals, with instructions to carry out the exercise on a “special priority basis.” According to the order, a large number of condemned and outdated items have accumulated in health institutions over the years, occupying valuable space that could otherwise be used for patient care, storage of medical supplies, and expansion of healthcare services.
Sanitation and safety concerns
The department noted that prolonged storage of such material can also create sanitation concerns. Such articles often become breeding and harbouring grounds for pests, rodents, and insects, increasing the risk of infections and compromising hygiene standards within healthcare facilities.
Instructions for hospital authorities
Hospital authorities have been instructed to identify all unserviceable items, complete condemnation procedures wherever required under prescribed rules, and ensure their disposal. The order specifies that condemned material should not remain stored in patient care areas, corridors, store rooms, or other parts of hospital premises.
Expected benefits of the exercise
Health officials said the exercise is expected to improve space utilisation in government hospitals facing increasing patient loads. “Removal of obsolete furniture, damaged equipment, and unusable material could free up additional space for healthcare services and improve overall hospital management,” said a doctor working at Sector-10 civil hospital.
Accountability and transparency
The directive is also expected to increase accountability among hospital administrators and district health authorities. Officials will be required to conduct inventories, verify government assets, complete condemnation procedures, and maintain disposal records in accordance with established regulations. The exercise may also involve reviewing asset registers and documenting condemned items to ensure transparency and compliance with audit requirements.
Potential revenue generation
Officials said that in cases where scrap material has residual value, disposal through approved channels could potentially generate revenue for the government.
Part of broader governance efforts
Health administrators said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve governance, sanitation, and operational efficiency in public healthcare facilities. The department has directed all institutions to begin the exercise immediately.
Concerns about equipment replacement
Hospital administrators, however, stressed that disposal of obsolete items should be accompanied by timely replacement of essential equipment to prevent disruptions in healthcare services.
