“Prevalence of mosquito breeding sites at hospitals is a serious issue, as patients with all kinds of illnesses visit the premises, or are admitted there. Their immunity is usually low, and if there are mosquito breeding sites in hospital premises, patients become more susceptible to infections,” said Dr V K Kohli, assistant entomologist, AMC. “Cleanliness and hygiene must be strictly maintained at hospitals and necessary preventive action to curb mosquito breeding must be undertaken,” he added. The hospitals which have been issued notices by AMC include Mental Hospital in Shahi-baug, Swamiji Teuram Hospital in Kubernagar, Kadam Hospital in Maninagar, Life Cure Hospital in Chandkheda, Gayatri Clinic in Viratnagar and Pramukh Clinic in Nikol.
In the last four days, 104 hospitals were scanned by AMC’s health department officials. “Administrative charges have been levied on hospitals which have been issued notices,” said a health official of AMC.
“The hospitals are asked to take steps to treat mosquito breeding sites with chemicals, or take care of them. Usually, fogging is not carried out in hospitals, as it may lead to respiratory problems for certain patients,” said the official. “If any hospital doesn’t comply, the AMC’s medical officer of health is asked to initiate further action,” he said.
“Mosquito breeding at any place is dangerous, be it a hospital, school, cinema hall, or a public place. There must be an extensive campaign by the civic body to create awareness about maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, preventing accumulation of water in local surroundings to prevent mosquito breeding,” said Dr Brijan Choksi, president, Ahmedabad Medical Association. “At the same time, hospitals must be extra careful and maintain necessary hygiene as patients are at a greater risk of infections,” he said.
