GMC Eluru MBBS students bitten by rats in hostel, Health minister orders inquiry

Eluru: The facilities Government Medical College (GMC), Eluru, have come under scrutiny after around 6 first-year MBBS students were admitted for treatment after allegedly being bitten by rats while sleeping in their hostel room.

In response to the incident, the Health Minister Y. Satya Kumar ordered an inquiry and directed DME Dr Raghunandan to issue notices to the hostel warden and the private pest control agency. The Minister also directed officials to carry out a sanitation drive to control the rodent problem.

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As per the TNIE news report, the incident came to light after the students, bitten by rats on Saturday night, were rushed to the hospital for treatment. They were given anti-rabies (ARV) and tetanus (TT) injections in the emergency ward.

After receiving treatment, the students decided to bring the issue to the notice of the higher authorities and accordingly lodged a complaint with the GMC Principal and the Government General Hospital (GGH) Superintendent.

In their complaint, the students have demanded immediate action from authorities to improve hygiene. Meanwhile, the hostel caretaker stated that ongoing construction work and poor sanitation around the premises have led to a rise in the rat population.

Taking serious note of the matter, Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav on Sunday directed DME Dr Raghunandan to issue notices to the hostel warden and the private pest control agency.

Accordingly, the DME issued a show-cause notice to the agency and instructed the principal to seek an explanation from the warden.

An official told The Hindu, "The Health Minister directed the Medical Superintendent and other senior officials to submit a detailed report on the incident."

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the MGM Medical College authorities removed the head of the pediatric surgery department, and the state government suspended a doctor after two newborns died following rat bites inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

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