Bhubaneswar: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences here has been adjudged the second cleanest hospital in the country by Swachh Bharat Mission.

The assessment was made in two categories. AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, ranked second in the category B hospitals of the country while in category A, AIIMS, New Delhi, topped the rank.

The award titled, Kayalap, is conferred on the basis of internal and peer assessment. The assessment domains include facility upkeep, sanitation and hygiene, waste management, infection control, hygiene promotion and feedbacks from public on cleanliness. "The hospitals were categorised into two groups based on a standard criteria. The move was aimed at promoting cleanliness, hygiene and infection control practices in healthcare facilities and to inculcate a sense of competition among the institutions to keep itself clean," said an AIIMS administrator.

A source said that the award came at a time when the institute was celebrating Swachhta Pakhwada from April 1 to April 15. "This year's activity included massive cleaning of exterior and interior of the hospital, hygiene promotion involving general public and training on infection control to all stakeholders," said the administrator.

Joint secretary of ministry of health and family welfare Gayatri Mishra visited the institute on April 11 as Swachhta observer and expressed her satisfaction over the cleanliness of the hospitals and activities undertaken by the institute under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

AIIMS director Gitanjali Batamanbane thanked the people and the staff for maintaining cleanliness on the institute premises. "We aim to maintain a clean and green environment for the people visiting here and this award has proved that we have succeeded in our initiatives," said Batmanbane.

"I appreciated the work of our students who have acted as change agent for Swachh Bharat Mission. We will continue to do our best," said AIIMS dean Vikas Bhatia.