GUWAHATI: Assam’s healthcare industry has enjoyed making headlines in the past and it seems like it wants to continue doing so, for the wrong reasons.
Taking the lead this time is one of the state’s biggest healthcare institutions, the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
This time, the GMCH is making headlines for having cats run amok the hospital premises.
Cats were seen loitering around the medical wards at Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) which raises concerns about infections and diseases among patients and of course, the maintenance of basic hygiene, in what is one of the largest medical facilities in Northeast India.
Two cats were spotted in the female ward on the second floor at GMCH which is one of the biggest government-run hospitals in Guwahati.
An attendant of one of the patients told G Plus that she has been seeing these cats for at least the past three days.
“Some of the patients have been recovering from serious diseases and these cats pose a serious threat to their health,” said Rukmini Kalita whose relative was admitted in the hospital.
She added that the cats keep roaming around on the floor and their fecal matter is found lying all over.
Another attendant said that cats also carry the risk of rabies if they bite anyone. “The authorities should take some steps to remove the cats from the hospital premises,” he said.
Authorities have turned a blind eye towards the presence of animals in the wards.
This apathy of the medical staff and authorities at GMCH is a cause of serious concern for patients and the fate of the healthcare establishment in the region at large.