A dead cockroach was allegedly found in dal served to a patient at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Thane, prompting the hospital administration to initiate an inquiry and undertake pest control and sanitisation of the kitchen.
A dead cockroach was allegedly found in a bowl of dal served to a patient at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital (CSMM Hospital) in Thane, Maharashtra, raising concerns over food safety and hygiene at the hospital.
The incident reportedly occurred on August 28, when an elderly woman from Airoli was served dinner at the hospital. Fellow patients allegedly noticed a dead cockroach in the dal and photographed the dish. The photographs subsequently circulated on social media, bringing the incident to public attention.
CSMM Hospital Administration Launches Inquiry
Speaking about the incident, CSMM Hospital Dean Swapnali Kadam said the hospital administration had taken cognisance of media reports and initiated an inquiry. The report of the probe is awaited.
As a precautionary measure, the hospital administration has also started pest control and sanitisation work in the kitchen area.
The administration’s action comes amid concerns over the hygiene and food-handling practices followed in a hospital that caters to a large number of patients and attendants.
MNS Workers Inspect Hospital Premises
Following the incident, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers inspected the hospital premises and questioned municipal officials regarding the quality of food being served to patients.
MNS leaders claimed that they had received repeated complaints regarding poor food quality and alleged that the municipal corporation administration had failed to maintain adequate oversight of food services at the hospital.
MNS activist Swapnil Mahindrakar said he had written to the municipal commissioner and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seeking an inspection of the hospital kitchen and its food-handling practices.
Hospital Serves Meals to More Than 1,000 People Daily
The hospital prepares meals for more than 1,000 people every day for patients and others coming from Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali and nearby rural areas.
The incident has therefore raised concerns about the need for strict food safety, kitchen hygiene and regular monitoring of food preparation and serving facilities at the hospital.
The hospital administration’s inquiry is expected to establish how the alleged contamination occurred and whether any lapses in food preparation, storage or serving were involved.