Unhygienic food preparation for patients raises concern at Bhadrak DHH

An alarming situation has come to light at the old District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Odisha’s Bhadrak, where food for patients is allegedly being prepared in extremely unhygienic conditions. 

As per reports, heaps of garbage are lying around the cooking area, and food meant for patients is being cooked amid filth, raising serious concerns over food safety and hygiene.

The surroundings are unhealthy, unclean, and poorly managed. A strong stench emanates from the area, making it difficult to even approach the place, yet patient food continues to be prepared there daily. The scene reflects gross negligence, with sanitation and hygiene norms seemingly ignored, putting patient health at risk, alleged a local.

Although the District Headquarters Hospital has been shifted to Gelpur with a modern building and improved medical facilities, no proper arrangement has been made there to cook patients’ meals. As a result, food continues to be prepared at the old hospital premises under unsafe conditions, he alleged.

"The food is being prepared in a very unhygienic place. The health of the patients will get more complicated by consuming such food. Poor patients will suffer more due to this food," rued Jagannath Mallick, a local resident.

The Supervisor of the agency responsible for cooking food for the patients stated that repeated requests have been made to shift the kitchen to a new location, but no alternative space has been provided so far.

"The DHH was suddenly shifted to Gelpur. The construction work is still in progress and the authorities have sought more time. A special hygienic place is required for cooking purpose and it will be ready within 20 days," said Raghunath Sahu, the supervisor.

The Bhadrak DHH serves patients not only from Bhadrak district but also from the neighbouring districts, with hundreds visiting daily for treatment. In such a scenario, the unhygienic preparation of food for the patients has triggered serious concern.

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Many fear that, instead of aiding recovery, consumption of food prepared in such conditions could further complicate patients’ health.

Responding to the issue, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Sudhir Nayak, said that the hospital was shifted in haste from Naya Bazaar to Gelpur, leaving no time to make proper arrangements for a kitchen facility. He informed that corrective steps are being taken and a dedicated kitchen will be set up inside the Gelpur District Headquarters Hospital at the earliest.

"The old hospital has been shifted. The construction of the cooking place has not been completed in the new place yet. It will be completed very soon. However, we are maintaining the quality of the food and there is nothing to be worried," assured Nayak.