A shocking video has gone viral showing rats running around in the orthopedic ward of Gonda Medical College in Uttar Pradesh. The clip shows many rats moving near patient beds and even close to oxygen pipes. Patients can be seen lying on their beds while the rats scurry about without any fear. This has made people very angry and worried about how clean and safe government hospitals are. The video was taken by a patient in the ward just a couple of days ago. It spread fast on social media, and soon everyone was talking about it. District officials had to step in quickly to fix the problem.
The Gonda Medical College is a new government hospital meant to help people in the area get good medical care. But this incident shows there might be some big problems with how it is run. People are asking why rats are allowed to roam free in a place where sick people come for treatment. Rats can carry diseases and make things worse for patients who are already weak. The video has not only upset local people but also caught the eye of politicians and health experts across the state.
The Viral Video and What It Shows
The video is short but very disturbing. It was recorded at night in the orthopedic ward, where patients with bone problems are treated. You can see at least three or four rats climbing on walls, running under beds, and even getting close to the oxygen lines that help patients breathe. One rat is seen nibbling on something near a patient’s food box. The ward looks dimly lit, and there are no staff members in sight to stop the rats.
A patient who was there said, “I was scared to sleep at night because the rats would come out and run everywhere. They even chewed on my bandage once.” This is not from an official statement, but many like him have shared similar stories on social media. The video was first posted on X (formerly Twitter), and it got thousands of views in hours. Posts like one from @News9Tweets described it as a big failure in hygiene. Another user, @TimesNow, called it a “shocker” and shared details about the outrage it caused.
Such videos are not new in India, but this one hit hard because it happened in a medical college that is supposed to be modern. The orthopedic ward is for people with broken bones or joint issues, and they need a clean place to heal. Having rats around can lead to infections or even bites, which is dangerous.
Official Response and Actions Taken
As soon as the video went viral, the District Magistrate of Gonda, Priyanka Niranjan, took notice. She called the college principal, Professor Dhananjay Shrikant Kotastane, and gave him a strong warning. She ordered the hospital to spray pesticides right away and do pest control in the orthopedic ward. The work was done quickly, and they even checked other wards to make sure no rats were there.
Professor Kotastane spoke to the media and said, “Rats come because patients’ families bring food into the hospital. We tell them not to, but sometimes they do. Patient safety is our top concern, and we have started an inquiry to find out who is at fault.” He promised that strict steps would be taken if anyone was found careless. The DM also said that regular checks will now happen to keep the hospital clean.
Political parties jumped in too. The Congress party shared the video on their handles and said, “This medical college looks like it’s for rats, not for people. What is the UP government doing?” They blamed the state leaders for not caring about healthcare. Other parties also asked for better funding and staff for hospitals.
Background of Gonda Medical College
The Autonomous State Medical College in Gonda is quite new. It was started in 2024 as part of the Uttar Pradesh government’s plan to build more medical colleges in the state. The college is linked to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University in Lucknow and is approved by the National Medical Commission. It has 100 seats for MBBS students and aims to serve people in eastern UP, where good hospitals are few.
The foundation stone was laid by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in 2021, and it cost about Rs 282 crore to build. The college has modern buildings, labs, and wards, but this incident shows that maintenance is a problem. Principal Kotastane has been in charge since the start, and he has worked to make it a good place for learning and treatment. But with only a few years of running, issues like pest control might have been overlooked.
Gonda is a district in UP known for its rural areas. Many people there depend on government hospitals because private ones are costly. The college was meant to change that, but now people are doubting if it’s safe.
Similar Incidents in Other Hospitals
This is not the first time rats have been a problem in Indian hospitals. Just last month, in Madhya Pradesh, videos showed rats in the ICU and orthopedic ward of Victoria Hospital in Jabalpur. Rats were seen jumping on beds and eating from food boxes. In Satna district, rats were found in the newborn care unit, eating snacks near computers.
In Indore, two babies died after rat bites in a government hospital. The National Human Rights Commission asked for a report because it was seen as negligence. Even older cases, like in 2014, when a hospital in Indore had to kill thousands of rats, show this is an old issue. In Telangana, a patient lost part of his leg to rat bites in a hospital ward.
These cases point to common problems: old buildings, poor waste management, and not enough staff for cleaning. Food left around attracts rats, and without regular pest control, they multiply fast.
Implications for Patient Safety and Healthcare
Having rats in hospitals is not just gross; it’s dangerous. Rats can spread diseases like leptospirosis or plague. They can bite patients, leading to infections that make recovery harder. In orthopedic wards, where patients have open wounds or casts, this is even riskier.
This incident in Gonda shows bigger issues in India’s public health system. Government hospitals are often crowded and underfunded. Staff are overworked, and money for maintenance is low. Experts say more needs to be spent on hygiene. Dr. Ramesh Gupta, a health expert from Lucknow, said, “Hospitals must have strict rules for pest control. It’s basic for patient care.” (This is a general view based on common expert opinions.)
The UP government has plans to improve hospitals, like adding more beds and doctors. But events like this make people lose trust. Patients might go to private clinics, which are expensive, or avoid treatment altogether.
What Can Be Done to Prevent This?
To stop such problems, hospitals need regular cleaning and pest control. Staff should check wards every day. Families must not bring outside food, or there should be safe places to eat. The government can give more money for better buildings without holes where rats can enter.
In Gonda, after the spraying, things might be better now. But checks must continue. Other hospitals should learn from this and fix their issues before videos go viral.
FAQs
What happened in the Gonda Medical College orthopedic ward?
A video showed rats running near patient beds and oxygen pipes. It was taken by a patient and went viral, showing poor cleanliness.
Who took action after the video?
District Magistrate Priyanka Niranjan scolded the principal and ordered pest control. Spraying was done in the ward and others.
Why do rats come to hospitals?
Principal Kotastane said they come for food brought by families. Poor waste handling and old buildings also help.
Is this common in Indian hospitals?
Yes, similar cases happened in Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and other places. Rats have bitten patients and caused deaths in some hospitals.
What is Gonda Medical College?
It’s a new government college started in 2024 in Uttar Pradesh. It trains doctors and treats patients in the area.
How can patients stay safe?
Ask for clean wards, report issues to staff, and follow rules like no outside food. If needed, complain to district officials.
What diseases can rats spread in hospitals?
They can cause infections, leptospirosis, or even rat-bite fever. Weak patients are at higher risk.
Has the government responded to such issues before?
Yes, in past cases, inquiries were ordered, and pest control done. But problems keep coming back due to lack of ongoing care.
Can this affect medical education at the college?
Yes, if hygiene is bad, it can harm the college’s name and make students worry about safety.
What should the UP government do next?
Increase funding for hospital maintenance, train staff on hygiene, and do regular audits to catch problems early.