The health department of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has imposed a hefty fine of Rs 10 lakh on Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), KR Road, for not maintaining hygiene and allowing mosquitoes to breed on its campus.
The Palike penalised the hospital following a recent complaint by N Sivasailam, Managing Director, BMRCL (Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd), that 12 Metro workers at a site near the hospital had contracted dengue.
During an inspection of the Metro site and the KIMS campus, the BBMP health deparment staff, along with Dr Devaki Umesh, chief health officer, and Dr Lokesh, zonal health officer, found breeding of larvae in one of the basements of an under-construction building on the hospital premises.
“After we received the complaint, we wanted to know the source of the infection. We made an intense search and found this location infested with mosquitoes and larvae on water. Being an educational institution, KIMS needs to set an example to others in terms of hygiene. Allowing mosquitoes to breed on the hospital campus is not acceptable,” Dr Devaki said.
She said mosquitoes from the KIMS campus could have possibly flown to the shelter of the Metro workers, infecting 12 of them with dengue.
Ironically, the 12 workers were admitted to KIMS, where six recovered and the rest are still recuperating.
Breeding ground
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Sivasailam said it was unfortunate that a hospital had turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
“If our workers are falling ill, it will affect the pace of Metro construction. Bangalore is going through a development phase and such hitches will affect the pace of work. As far as Metro sites are concerned, we have maintained hygiene and not allowed mosquitoes to breed,” he said.
Dr B Veeranna, administrator, KIMS, said the BBMP officials had met him and served the penalty notice on him.
“It is an under-construction site for a resident quarters. We are not aware of water stagnating in a basement area, which is looked after by the contractor. We will have to discuss the penatly with the management,” he said.
The BBMP has directed KIMS to clean the basement area within 24 hours and submit a report to the Palike office. An officer of the civic agency said KIMS could appeal to the Palike commissioner to reduce the fine.
