Specially Abled Patient Alleges Rats Bit Off His Toes At Patna Government Hospital; Opposition Slams State
Patna: In a disturbing incident highlighting alleged negligence in Bihar’s public healthcare system, a differently-abled patient has accused Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Patna of failing to protect him from a rat attack that severely damaged his foot. The man, identified as Awadhesh Kumar from Nalanda district, claims that rats bit off toes of his right foot while he was asleep in the hospital’s Orthopedics ward.
Kumar, who is diabetic and had already lost one leg to the disease, was admitted nearly three weeks ago to Unit 4 of the Orthopedics Department under Dr. Om Prakash. Following surgery on his remaining leg, he was recovering in bed number 55 when the alleged rat attack occurred late Saturday night. His wife, Sheela Devi, said the horrifying discovery was made when she noticed severe injuries to his foot, prompting immediate alert to hospital authorities.
Several other patients and even hospital staff confirmed the rodent infestation, admitting that rats are a regular nuisance in the hospital, raising serious concerns about patient safety. Responding to the incident, Dr. Om Prakash stated, “We have been informed about the matter, and it has been reported to the medical superintendent.”
The incident has triggered a political storm. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav strongly condemned the state government, pointing out that this isn’t an isolated case. ““In Patna’s NMCH, a specially abled patient’s fingers were bitten by rats. Recently, rats had gnawed the eye of a deceased person in the same hospital… and no action was taken against anyone,” Yadav said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
He further criticized Health Minister Mangal Pandey and accused the current administration of destroying the health system in Bihar. “Under our 17-month government, we had worked to improve healthcare. A department that cannot even ensure cleanliness and safety in its hospitals, where a perfectly healthy person would fall ill — how will it treat patients?,” Yadav said.
As the incident garners national attention, questions are being raised about hospital hygiene, accountability, and the state’s commitment to public health.