A viral video recorded by a patient in the orthopaedic ward of Gonda Medical College in Uttar Pradesh captured several rats moving freely across the floor, near oxygen pipelines, and on top of patients’ beds. The footage has circulated widely on social media, prompting public concern over hygiene and patient safety at the government-run hospital.
The viral clip shows at least five large rats within the ward, raising questions about sanitation protocols in spaces where vulnerable patients receive care.
Following the circulation of the video, District Magistrate Priyanka Niranjan ordered a formal probe into the incident and directed immediate corrective actions. The principal of Gonda Medical College, Professor Dhananjay Shrikant Kotasthane, was instructed to implement measures aimed at eradicating the rodents and preventing further occurrences.
The hospital administration responded by spraying anti-rodent medicines throughout the orthopaedics ward and other areas of the facility. New entry restrictions were also introduced to reduce food waste inside wards, which officials said can attract rodents. Under the revised rules, only one attendant per patient is permitted inside wards outside of visiting hours, and large quantities of food carried by visitors are prohibited.
Speaking to Free Press Journal, the principal acknowledged that rats are often drawn to the ward due to food brought in by patients’ relatives, and stated that any negligence related to patient safety would not be tolerated. He also noted that rodents appeared to have disappeared following the spraying, though the inquiry into the matter is ongoing.
Rodent infestations in healthcare settings are recognized as a significant hygiene concern because rats and other rodents can contaminate surfaces, supplies, and food with feces, urine, and saliva, which may carry infectious pathogens. Rodents are known to transmit various diseases and can also damage infrastructure, equipment, and supplies if not controlled.
Even though the incidence of direct rodent-borne disease transmission inside hospitals is relatively low compared with the overall number of rodent sightings, the potential for contamination and indirect spread of pathogens remains a public health concern, especially for patients with weakened immune systems.
In other healthcare facilities, rodent infestations have previously led to serious infection risks and safety complaints, including cases where rodents have bitten patients or been seen in sensitive areas such as surgery wards.
Effective rodent control in hospitals typically involves regular sanitation inspections, sealing entry points, proper waste management, and professional pest control services. According to pest management research, comprehensive rodent control programs including monitoring and habitat modification, are essential to keep healthcare environments safe and sanitary.
Health authorities in other regions have warned that failure to maintain strict pest control standards can compromise infection prevention efforts, damage equipment, and increase operational costs, emphasizing that pest management is an important aspect of overall hospital quality assurance.
Reference
Laura Staubitz, Lou Hilken, and Katie Bryan, “Rats! Infection Prevention’s Journey During a Hospital Kitchen Infestation,” American Journal of Infection Control (June 2023), ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196655323004558.
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