Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Visitors to JP Hospital (District Hospital) in Bhopal are greeted with highly unhygienic conditions at the main entrance, including scattered garbage, a damaged septic tank and walls stained red with paan stains.

Despite the presence of health department and CMHO office on the same campus, JP Hospital’s administration has installed a barrier to demarcate its jurisdiction, but the entire campus is ultimately under the hospital’s responsibility.

Scattered garbage is an eyesore at both gates of JP Hospital. While Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) garbage collection vans make regular rounds, there is little visible impact on cleanliness within the hospital campus, which is located in the heart of the state capital.

Paan-spitting is a recurring issue, with the walls turning red, and it has become a major challenge in maintaining hygiene.

Vendors frequently roam the campus for trade, and there is a lack of monitoring against such activities. Patients' attendants also dispose of food packets at will, despite the presence of garbage bins within the campus.

Civil Surgeon Dr. Rakesh Shrivastava, while acknowledging the issue, said that the office of health directorate is also located in the same campus, which limits the jurisdiction of JP Hospital.

However, he said that accountability and responsibility for cleanliness fall under the hospital’s purview. Dr. Shrivastava said, “I consistently make every effort to ensure total cleanliness and sanitation on the hospital campus.

As head of the district hospital in the state capital, I will ensure proper sanitation and a clean campus.”