Why is Tejashwi Yadav Criticizing Nitish Kumar Over Bihar's Failing Health System?

Synopsis
A shocking incident at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital has led to severe criticism of Bihar's health system by Tejashwi Yadav. A patient suffered rodent bites post-surgery, revealing deep-rooted hygiene issues. Explore the implications of this event on Bihar's healthcare and the political fallout it may trigger.
Key Takeaways
- Patient safety is compromised due to rodent infestations in hospitals.
- Political accountability is essential for healthcare reforms.
- Public outcry is crucial for demanding better health standards.
- Systemic failures in the health department need urgent addressing.
- Recent incidents have highlighted ongoing issues at NMCH.
Patna, May 20 (NationPress) A disturbing incident has sparked widespread outrage throughout Bihar, as a patient at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH)—the second-largest government hospital in Patna—suffered the horrifying fate of having all five fingers gnawed by rats during his sleep after surgery.
In response to this dreadful event, former Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav expressed his outrage on the social media platform X on Tuesday, targeting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Health Minister Mangal Pandey.
He posted a video of the injured patient, denouncing what he referred to as “gross negligence and a catastrophic failure of the health system.”
“A disabled patient, resting in Patna’s NMCH, was sound asleep when rats chewed on his fingers. Just a few days prior, a deceased individual’s eye was consumed by rats in the same facility. Yet, no measures have been taken,” Tejashwi shared.
He asserted that the healthcare reforms achieved during his 17-month tenure as Health Minister have been dismantled.
“Health Minister Mangal Pandey, who is secretly positioning himself as the RSS/BJP’s Chief Minister candidate, has undone the advancements we made in the Health Department,” Tejashwi remarked.
He further ridiculed the state government, stating: “The oblivious Chief Minister will soon be presented with a report claiming that the patient’s fingers weren’t bitten by rats but by a state-of-the-art robotic surgical machine. And, as usual, the Chief Minister will respond by saying—‘Didn’t this happen before 2005?’”
The victim, Awadesh Prasad, an elderly individual from Nalanda district, had recently undergone surgery and was recovering in the hospital when the rodent attack occurred on Sunday.
Family members and witnesses allege that despite numerous complaints regarding the rodent problem, hospital authorities have taken no substantial action.
This shocking incident has once again highlighted the alarming state of hospital hygiene and management in Bihar.
Recently, rats also nibbled a deceased patient’s eye in the hospital morgue. Despite the public uproar, no accountability has been established, and hospital sanitation continues to remain severely compromised.
NMCH has yet to issue an official statement, and there is currently no confirmation of disciplinary measures against any staff or officials involved.