Rat bites at Jabalpur Hospital: Rs 50,000 fine slapped on cleaning firm

Jabalpur: In a shocking incident, two patients and an attendant in the psychiatry ward at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College were allegedly bitten by rats. One of the patients reportedly suffered injuries to the foot. In response, hospital authorities have imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the cleaning company responsible.

The issue came to the notice of District Collector Raghvendra Singh during a surprise visit on Tuesday night. He expressed strong displeasure over the situation and directed hospital authorities to take strict action against those responsible.

Following this, Hospital Superintendent Dr Arvind Sharma imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on HLL Infra Tech Services Limited, the company responsible for cleaning and pest control at the hospital. The amount will be deducted from the company’s pending payment.

Medical Dialogues recently reported that Jabalpur's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College Hospital has come under intense scrutiny after three individuals, including two patients, were reportedly bitten by rats in the psychiatry ward on the night of September 15, 2025. In response, the district administration has issued notices to hospital authorities, seeking a status report within three days.

Also read- HoD Paediatric Surgery removed, doctor suspended amid MY Hospital rat bite controversy

Apart from imposing the fine, the hospital also sought a detailed explanation from the company immediately.

During inspection, garbage was found near the psychiatry department despite repeated instructions for regular cleaning. Rat traps were placed at only one spot, and pest control medicines were available in very small quantities.

Speaking on this, the superintendent told Free Press Journal, "Such negligence has harmed the image of the hospital." He also directed the company’s manager to take action against the staff responsible for pest control and ensure proper supervision.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported on the death of two newborns from rat bites inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Indore's government-run Maharaja Yeshwantrao (MY) Hospital. One of the newborns died after being bitten over the weekend, and the second infant admitted to the same neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) reportedly died after suffering injuries from a rat bite.

In response, the MGM Medical College authorities removed the head of the pediatric surgery department, and the state government suspended a doctor. In addition, the hospital authorities also suspended two nursing officers, a nursing superintendent and other staff members who were in charge of the NICU.

Also read- Death of 2 newborns at Indore Hospital: NHRC seeks Action Taken Report