Rodents haunt KR Hospital patients

More than 1,000 rodents are poisoned every month

The menace of rodent is at larger extent at the city's famous KR Hospital. Whats alarming is about 1,000 rodents are killed by poisoning every month by a daily wage worker Siddaraju from various wards located inside the KR Hospital.

As the vegetable market, Booti Bazaar is adjacent to the hospital, rodents find it easier to enter through underground drainage pipes, roads. Another reason cited for the rampant menace is that visitors to hospital discard the leftover food openly, and for the smell rodent comes.

Speaking to Express, most of the staff and patients complained of rats entering the wards around 8 pm creating panic among the women and their relatives who sleep on the floor.
As rodents pose serious health risks, it has become cause of worrisome for both doctors and patients alike. Specially, the patients undergoing treatment at Cheluvamba hospital (Maternity hospital) will pass everyday out of fear in night.

Dean and Director of Cheluvamba Hospital, Dr Krishhna Murthy said that as the hospital is right adjacent to Market it has become a challenging task to tackle the rat menace.
“We are putting all efforts to bring the problem under control by catching rats. Though a large number of rats are being poisoned each day, their numbers have not dwindled. To extend the exercise further, we need to give contract for concerned agency for which Rs 25,000 per month is needed,” he added.
Siddaraju, who is working for KR Hospital for last seven years said: “I keep the poison at safe place, where other insects, birds cant reach. An average of about 25 to 50 rats are poisoned every day at MMC&RI, KR Hospital and Cheluvamba Hospital.”

Yogesh, a residents of Vidyaranayapuram said: “I had admitted my sister to Cheluvamba Hospital for delivery. I found big rats entering the wards daily night. We had taken utmost care for the new born baby during our stay.”
T Narasipur Taluk Senior Citizen Rekhavathi also admitted the menace of big rats and complained of lack of hygiene. “Have witnessed big rats scurrying inside the wards. Measures should be taken to trap them.”