In a punishing mood: Patna Medical College and Hospital

Patna, Aug. 29: Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) authorities imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on each of the three cleaning agencies charged with failure to maintain proper sanitation in the health hub.

The senior hospital officials said the agencies had been asked to pay fine after they failed to come up with satisfactory answers to showcause notices that were served on them two days back.

According to sources, three agencies — Bhiwani Private Limited, Indraprastha Infrastructure Limited and Nishka Private Limited — are responsible for maintaining sanitation in the wards and hospital premises.

“These agencies have been allocated several wards each. A team of three senior hospital officials carried out a sudden inspection two days back and found that none of the agencies was carrying out the cleaning work properly,” said a source in the hospital.

“The wards, especially Rajendra surgical ward, Tata ward, gynaecology ward, Hathua ward among others were found to be full of filth. The floors had heaps of garbage and toilets were dirty. Following this, we issued a notice to the companies to which the cleaning and upkeep of the hospital has been outsourced. They were asked to reply to the showcause notice that was issued to them. But their replies were not satisfactory,” said Dr R.K. Singh, deputy superintendent of PMCH.

Officials also said the agencies have been given a week’s time to prepare a report on their performance after which the administration will decide on further action.

According to sources, the hospital spends Rs 22 lakh every month on payment to these three agencies.

The state health department is contemplating to make cleaning contracts stricter and more specific because of worsening performance by the cleaning contractors in the recent past.

“A rigorous assessment of the tender document will be done now before entering into agreement with the private contractors. We have felt that each and every point regarding cleaning of the hospital, like how many times floor has to be wiped and when washrooms and toilets need to be cleaned, how many times garbage has to be collected, what measures they have to take to ensure better cleanliness and number of employees required for the works, will be specified in the tender document from next year. This will definitely make the agencies more responsible,” said an official in the department.

He added that department heads of the college will be empowered to supervise the works carried out by the cleaning contractors.