Nabarangpur: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) general secretary and former MP Pradeep Majhi protested the alleged neglect of the dialysis unit toilet at Nabarangpur district headquarters hospital (DHH) by personally cleaning it with phenyl, bleaching powder, and floor cleaner on Monday.
While criticising the health department for endangering patients’ lives, he alleged that the dialysis centre’s toilet was not uncleaned for eight months and had become a disease breeding ground. “The toilet is only 5 minutes away from where the patients undergo dialysis. It has not been cleaned for eight months. Foul smell has made it unbearable to use the facility, which has turned into a breeding ground for diseases. Kidney patients, who require utmost care, are being exposed to serious infection risks,” he told reporters.
Majhi further alleged misuse of crores of rupees sanctioned under the Swachh Bharat Mission for toilet cleaning. He highlighted that the dialysis centre, where 350 patients undergo dialysis a month, has other serious issues including fungus-covered walls, a leaking roof, and inadequate water and poor water and sewage management. He also gave an ultimatum to the state government to ensure that all toilets at hospitals in the state are regularly cleaned.
Additional District Medical and Public Health Officer, Sukant Satapathy, denied the allegations, stating that daily cleaning was inspected by medical authorities. He added he would personal review of the toilet’s condition following the complaint.