Amid the ‘Malaria-Free Ahmedabad’ campaign and ongoing mosquito control drives against vector-borne diseases in the city, a mosquito infestation has come to light at LG Hospital, which is run by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). Filth, mosquitoes and dirty bedsheets were reportedly found at night in the gynaecology ward of the hospital’s old building and in two other wards. With such conditions seen in a ward for women patients in particular, questions have been raised over the hospital’s cleanliness arrangements.
Mosquito Infestation at LG Hospital Despite ‘Malaria-Free Ahmedabad’ Drive
Rajesh T. Soni, General Secretary of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, made a surprise night-time visit to LG Hospital. He claimed that mosquitoes and unhygienic conditions were found in the gynaecology ward of the old LG Hospital as well as in two other wards. A complaint was also raised about dirty bedsheets in the wards.
According to him, it is a serious matter that patients who come to the hospital for treatment face a mosquito problem in the very wards where they are admitted. He demanded that women undergoing treatment in the gynaecology ward, in particular, should get a clean and mosquito-free environment.
The Congress general secretary said that while the Corporation talks about cleanliness and mosquito control in the city, accountability must be fixed on the responsible officials and the cleaning agency if a Corporation-run hospital itself has filth and a mosquito infestation. He demanded more effective arrangements for regular cleaning, clean bedsheets, and routine pest control and fogging at the hospital.
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Mosquitoes Due to Building Under Construction Next Door: Superintendent
The superintendent of LG Hospital, for his part, said that the hospital is cleaned daily and fogging is also carried out outside the wards. According to the hospital administration, the mosquito problem originates from a new building under construction next to the hospital. He said dustbins have been placed near the wards, but some people throw garbage outside instead of using them, and this waste too could be a cause of the mosquito infestation.
If Action Is Taken Against Other Construction Sites, What About This One?
The Corporation takes punitive action against other construction sites and establishments for mosquito breeding or unhygienic conditions. With the hospital administration itself saying that construction next to the Corporation’s own hospital is causing the mosquito problem, the question now being discussed is what action will be taken against this site.