Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Rat Infestation Exposes Hygiene Problems at Malda Hospital
A large hospital in Malda has a serious rat problem.
People saw mousetraps placed on beds in the wards.
A BJP leader brought attention to the problem after visiting patients.
Hospital officials said rats hide in the false ceilings and are being trapped.
They also said stronger pest-control work is being started.
Patients and relatives are worried that rats could bite people.
Some doctors said poor cleaning has caused operations to be cancelled.
They linked the cleaning problems to contractual workers allegedly not being paid for three months.
A BJP MLA said the hospital’s problems would take time to fix.
Mousetraps were found on empty beds at Malda Medical College and Hospital wards.
BJP leader Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury raised concerns after visiting indoor patients on Friday afternoon.
Hospital authorities acknowledged rats were entering wards and said intensified pest-control measures were underway.
Doctors alleged unpaid contractual staff had worsened cleanliness, forcing some scheduled operations to be cancelled.
The hospital caters to patients from Malda, the Dinajpurs and parts of neighbouring Bihar.
- Who
- Malda Medical College and Hospital authorities, BJP leader Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury, patients’ relatives, doctors and BJP MLA Amlan Bhaduri.
- What
- A rat infestation and wider cleanliness concerns were reported at the hospital, including mousetraps placed on ward beds.
- When
- The issue was highlighted on Friday afternoon; doctors said some problems had persisted for years.
- Where
- Malda Medical College and Hospital in north Bengal.
- Why
- Hospital authorities said rats shelter in false ceilings, while doctors linked deteriorating cleanliness to contractual staff allegedly going unpaid for at least three consecutive months.
Critics and Hospital Users
Hospital Authorities and BJP Representative
Cleanliness and safety
Critics and Hospital Users
Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury, patients’ relatives and doctors described the conditions as unhygienic and potentially unsafe, with concerns about bites and infections.
Hospital Authorities and BJP Representative
Hospital authorities said mousetraps had been placed to prevent rats from harming patients and that pest-control measures were being intensified.
Cause of deteriorating conditions
Critics and Hospital Users
Doctors alleged that unpaid contractual workers had contributed to poor cleanliness and said operations had sometimes been cancelled because operating theatres were not properly sanitised.
Hospital Authorities and BJP Representative
BJP MLA Amlan Bhaduri said the problems had persisted for years and that the new state government would address them, although improvements would take time.
Scale of the problem
Critics and Hospital Users
Critics said the issue was longstanding and was receiving attention because a BJP leader had flagged it.
Hospital Authorities and BJP Representative
Hospital officials acknowledged rats were often present, including in wards, and said they were taking steps to control the infestation.
- Facility
- Malda Medical College and Hospital
- Rodent-control measure
- Mousetraps were placed on beds, and pest-control measures were being intensified.
- Patients served
- The hospital serves Malda, the twin Dinajpur districts and some areas of neighbouring Bihar.
- Concern raised
- Patients and relatives fear possible rodent bites and unhygienic conditions.
- Operational impact
- A senior doctor alleged that scheduled operations had been cancelled on several occasions because of poor hygiene.
- Staff payment issue
- Doctors alleged that contractual staff had not received wages for at least three consecutive months.
- Hospital response
- Medical superintendent and vice-principal Prasenjit Bar acknowledged the rodent problem and said steps were being taken.