Ahmedabad, July 5 (IANS). Sola Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad has removed 79 kg of solid waste under the ‘Namo Swachhta Abhiyan’ of the state government. Initiated the process of scrapping 159 obsolete medical equipment and carried out large scale maintenance work, which also included servicing of 508 fire extinguishers. The aim of this campaign is to improve cleanliness and patient safety.
The focus of this campaign being run by the state government across Gujarat is to reduce hospital infections (nosocomial infections). For this, attention is being paid to intensive cleaning, disinfection and maintenance of infrastructure.
According to the hospital administration, about 79 kg of solid waste has been removed from different departments, while the process of removing 159 useless medical equipment and 1,365 spoiled items has been started as per the prescribed procedures.
Resident Medical Officer Dr. Hemangini Patel said that cleaning, disinfection and removal of unnecessary items is being done on a war footing in the hospital to reduce the risk of infection in the hospital.
“Continuous monitoring is being done throughout the hospital to ensure a safe and clean environment for patients,” he said.
The campaign covers indoor and outdoor areas, hospital premises and toilets. Along with the cleaning drive, the hospital has also completed refilling or installing 508 fire extinguishers.
Maintenance work has also been done for essential facilities. Of the 319 taps inspected, 56 were repaired or replaced. In the electrical system, 63 bulbs and 22 ceiling fans were repaired to improve the facilities for patients and their attendants.
Of the 575 hospital furniture, medical and IT equipment, 103 were repaired and made fit for use.
Dr. Patel said that the work of replacing about 300 old bedsheets, pillow covers and mattresses in a phased manner has also started.
He said all medical and paramedical staff have been given special training on scientific disposal of biomedical waste using a prescribed colour-coded segregation system. He said that regular cleaning of floors, walls, windows, glass panels and ceiling fans is being done in the hospital, along with civil works like repairing toilets, bathrooms and repairing broken tiles.
Dr. Patel said, “Cleanliness is not a one-day campaign, but a year-long process. The administration is fully committed to reducing the cases of infection in the hospital.”
Relatives of the patients undergoing treatment in the hospital also shared their experiences during this campaign. Sanand’s Prakash Kumar Maniya said that doctors, sanitation workers and other staff provided prompt and cooperative service.
He also appealed to the people coming to help maintain cleanliness in the hospital premises. Ami Patel of Bodakdev said that after coming to Sola Civil Hospital, her thinking about government hospitals has changed.
He said, “After coming to Sola Civil Hospital, the misconception that government hospitals are dirty has been completely dispelled. Due to constant cleanliness, clean drinking water and organized environment, this hospital seems no less than a corporate hospital.”
Ramila Makwana, a cleaning worker who has been serving in the hospital since the Covid-19 pandemic, said that sensitive equipment like patient beds, lockers, ventilators and monitors are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected every day.
“If necessary, patients’ sheets are also changed twice a day,” he said.
The hospital administration said the initiative is part of their ongoing efforts to improve cleanliness levels, strengthen infection control measures and maintain healthcare infrastructure as well as ensure a clean and safe environment for patients and visitors.
–IANS
SCH/VC
