Rats attack in Koraput SLN Medical College & Hospital giving patients sleepless nights

The premier Saheed Laxman Nayak (SLN) Medical College & Hospital, lifeline for people in Odisha’s Koraput, is under an unprecedented rat attack. Advance equipment and facilities in the newly-opened hospital are threatened to slide down the rodent burrow.

Apart from disrupting medical services and damaging equipment, the rats have become a menace, literally seen everywhere on walls, chairs, and even the beds of patients. Several cases of rats biting the patients have become a matter of serious concern in the prestigious hospital.

“There are so many rats here both inside and outside the hospital. The rats are literally everywhere. Instead of fixing the rat holes, the medical authorities are trying to catch them using cage. It is terrifying for the patients, especially at nights,” a patient’s attendant said.

As per reports, the medical authorities have set up at least 20 cages in various parts of the hospital to trap the rats. Later, the rats are freed in the forest, it was learnt.

“We have gone to even hospitals in Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam, but never seen rats there. So, I don’t understand why they cannot control rats here. The only reason is lack of cleanliness in the hospital. The more you keep the house clean, the more rats will not enter the house. The medical authorities are just playing around with excuses of tender, pest control, red tape and cages,” alleged a local resident.

When contacted, the CDMO, Sushant Kumar Sahu said, “We have set up cages across the hospital to trap the rats. I agree these are not sufficient, but we need time for pest control. We are also trying to create awareness among patients and attendants to use dustbins instead of throwing away leftover food here and there.”

“We are planning to hire an agency for rodent control measures. We have also apprised the Works Department of the need to block all the rat holes,” he added.