'Hygiene crucial at hospitals'

Hospital hygiene was the focus at the Ninth Edition of the Clean India Show that concluded here in the City on Saturday.

 Dr C S Kedar, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Financial Corporation (KUIDFC) inaugurated the three-day event.

Cleanliness in hospitals was stressed, added to personal hygiene and staff education, said Dr A Mohan, Professor of Department of Urology and Head Quality Control Department, St John’s Medical College Hospital.

He was speaking at a discussion after the inauguration of the show.

“Modern engineering treatments, renewal of old fixtures and furniture will ensure better hospital maintenance,” he said.

Also speaking on the occasion, Dr B N Gokul, Senior Infection Control Officer, Fortis Hospital-Bangalore, said waste management through segregation at source was crucial at hospitals.

Great care should be taken to ensure that bio medical waste did not mix with other waste, as it could be hazardous, he added. He also noted that a proper infection control policy should be at place in hospitals.

While Shalini Naik from M S Ramaiah Hospital laid stress on the importance of accreditation and training in hospitals.

“There is a dearth of information on chemicals used to maintain cleanliness in hospitals,” said Venkat, of Manipal Enterprises.

An array of unique machines for cleanliness and hygiene purposes were on display at the  show.

In addition to cleanliness equipment, waste management devices and eco-friendly products drew the attention of visitors. One such product was colour coded bins to help easy segregation of garbage.

Apart from the show, seminars on waste management and recycling of municipal waste will be part of the exhibition.