Rodent Menace at Gonda Medical College Raises Alarming Questions Over Patient Safety

Gonda (Uttar Pradesh):
The transformation of Gonda District Hospital into a medical college appears impressive on paper, but the grim reality inside its wards tells a very different story. A viral video circulating on social media has exposed shocking conditions inside the Orthopaedic Ward, where rats can be seen roaming freely—raising serious concerns over patient safety and administrative failure.

The disturbing footage shows rodents scurrying across the ward floor, climbing onto patients’ beds, and even running along the oxygen pipeline, a critical lifeline for seriously ill and injured patients. The visuals have sparked outrage, with many questioning whether the hospital is safeguarding lives or putting them at grave risk.

Patients admitted to the orthopaedic ward—many with open wounds or post-surgical incisions—now fear not just infection, but also rat bites and contamination. The presence of rodents in such a sensitive medical environment significantly increases the risk of life-threatening infections, including leptospirosis and other rodent-borne diseases.

Administration Shifts Blame, Patients Suffer

Responding to the controversy, the medical college administration claimed that attendants bring food into the wards, attracting rats due to leftovers and food smells. However, critics argue that shifting responsibility onto patients’ families is an attempt to deflect attention from systemic negligence.

Despite spending lakhs of rupees every month on sanitation and maintenance, the hospital continues to struggle with basic hygiene and pest control. Experts warn that rats running along oxygen pipelines could lead to catastrophic accidents if pipelines are damaged.

Patients Allege Complete Absence of Staff

A patient admitted to the orthopaedic ward alleged that the menace is not limited to rats alone. “There is constant trouble from rats and stray dogs. The rats are huge and even chew medicines and clothes,” the patient said, adding that no ward boy, nurse, or sanitation worker is regularly visible to address complaints.

The absence of on-ground staff further compounds the crisis, leaving vulnerable patients at the mercy of unsafe conditions.

A Serious Public Health Hazard

Medical experts caution that rodent infestation in hospitals is not merely a cleanliness issue but a public health emergency. In wards dealing with trauma and surgical cases, even minor contamination can turn fatal.

The incident has reignited debate over whether the rapid upgradation of district hospitals into medical colleges is being accompanied by adequate improvements in infrastructure management, hygiene standards, and accountability.

As the video continues to circulate, public pressure is mounting on health authorities to take immediate corrective action—before negligence inside hospital walls claims lives.