Rats ‘bite’ patient’s toes at Bihar govt hospital

The state-run Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Bihar has landed in controversy, after a specially abled patient undergoing treatment at the medical facility claimed that rats had bitten toes of his right foot while he was asleep.

The incident took place on Saturday night in the Orthopaedics wing of NMCH, and it came to light after his family members alerted the hospital administration.

“We have come to know about the incident… It has been brought to the notice of the medical superintendent,” said Dr Om Prakash, head of the Orthopaedics Department.

The patient, Awadesh Kumar, told mediapersons that when he woke up on Sunday morning, he noticed that toes of his right foot were bitten by rats.

“I saw that the fingers were bleeding. My family members also noticed it and informed the nurses and other medical staff. Rats have been creating havoc here,” Kumar said.

Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey could not be reached for comments over the matter.

Reacting to the incident, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, in a post on X said: “Recently, rats had gnawed the eye of a deceased in the same hospital… and no action was taken against anyone.” The RJD leader alleged that the healthcare apparatus of Bihar is in ruins. “Pandey has ruined the healthcare system in the state that we had improved and nurtured over our 17-month tenure,” he added.

India