Raj: Rats attack paralyzed man leading to grave injuries

Jodhpur, Jan 11: In what can be termed as the ultimate case of medical neglect, a 70 year old paralyzed man who was on ventilator support at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at a government hospital in Jodhpur was attacked by rats. The worse part is that the hospital staff was blissfully aware of the gruesome incident. His ears, nose, lips and cheeks were nibbled by rats leading to serious injuries.

After the incident came to light, the authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The incident happened on Tuesday at the Mathura Das Mathur Hospital whe rats nibbled on the patient and he was helpless and unable to move as he was paralysed. The identity of the patient has been withheld. [UPDATE: Raj Hosp takes LATE action]

A doctor spoke to agencies on condition of anonymity and said, "The hospital staff - from doctors to security guards - go to sleep before 11 p.m., leaving the patients on their own. He had injuries on his ears, nose, lips and cheeks. Besides, the ventilator tubes were also found chopped. A hole was found in the ICU wall through which rats were seen moving in and out."

The man was found seriously injured by his family members on Tuesday. The hospital authorities have not confirmed if the patients face was nibbled by rats.

Arvind Mathur, the hospital superintendent spoke on the incident, "We have set up a three-member committee to look into the case. The panel has been asked to give us a report at the earliest. They started their investigations today (Wednesday) and we hope to have a report by evening or tomorrow (Thursday) morning. We have also asked for steps for rodent control by professionals."

Mathur also stated that investigations were on to ascertain if the patient was really bit by rats. Hospital sources stated that the administration have closed the hole through which the rats were presumed to be coming in to the ICU. Rat killer medicines have also been used against the rodent menace.

Not the first such news of its king in Rajasthan, earlier a newborn had died in a hospital after he was attacked by rats at the Ummed Hospital.

OneIndia News