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Rat bites newborn’s hand in Rajasthan hospital, two staffers under scanner
The incident occurred when the post-natal care ward of the Banswara district hospital suffered a five-minute blackout in the wee hours of Monday.
In an incident that brings basic hygiene at government medical institutions across the state into question, a rat bit the hand of a four-day-old infant when the post-natal care ward of the Banswara district hospital suffered a five-minute blackout on Monday morning.
Hospital authorities have initiated action against two staffers, and formed a committee to probe the matter.
“The child began crying around 5 am. My wife tried to put him back to sleep, but he just wouldn’t calm down,” said Fateh Singh, the father. “When the power returned, she saw that the baby’s hand was bleeding. There was a rat on the bed.”
Singh is a farmer from Chanduji Ka Garha village, located 17 km from Banswara city. His wife had delivered the baby on June 9.
“Two hospital staffers — the ward in-charge and a male nurse — have been placed on APO (awaiting posting order),” said Dr VK Jain, the hospital in-charge, adding that the baby was shifted to the emergency ward immediately after the incident.
“We conducted a pest-control procedure last year, but it’ll become effective only after the ward is renovated. The tender in this regard was floated on Saturday, and work should be completed within a month,” he said.
Dr Jain said it’s a tradition in Banswara for relatives and acquaintances to bring sweets and food items while visiting couples who have just had babies. “They litter the hospital ward with leftovers, attracting rats,” he added.
