Patient complains of cockroach in meal at Vashi General Hospital, caterer served show cause notice

Navi Mumbai: A patient admitted to the Vashi General Hospital has complained of the cockroach in the meal provided by the hospital authorities.

The incident shocked all the patients admitted to the hospital because of the lack of quality checks over the meals provided. This incident happened when the hospital authorities served lentil curry to the admitted patient in the orthopaedic department.

Meanwhile, the patient was shocked to discover a cockroach floating in the curry. This horrifying incident was captured by another patient in the adjacent bed at the hospital.

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The video captured by another patient at the hospital went viral and the hospital received heavy criticism from the netizens. While talking with HT, the patient requesting anonymity said, "I am not sure if the cockroach had fallen from somewhere or was in the food from earlier. But when I saw the cockroach, I shot the video."

Responding to the issue, The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) issued show cause notice to the caterer and assured steps would be taken to prevent similar incidents in future.

Commenting on the issue, Medical Officer of Health, Dr Pramod Patil said "We have served a show cause notice to the caterer who provided the food to the patients and has also asked them to increase the quantity of the food served per plate, especially at the pregnancy ward."

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The in-charge of Vashi General Hospital submitted a letter to Patil explaining their side that hospital authorities have taken strict action against the caterer who has been punished with a fine. It also mentioned that warning has been given to the in charge of the food section of the hospital and has been directed to be more alert in the future.

However, the matter has caused damage to the hospital and patients have expressed concerns about the food quality in the future. The hospital has been directed by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation to maintain food hygiene and take note of the foods served to the patients.

Abhijit Bangar, NMMC commissioner said "Such incidents would not be tolerated and we are very particular about the hygiene of the food. Since the pandemic, I have been instructing the hospital authorities to take special care of the food served and to make sure it is clean and hygienic."