Mysuru: Nursing students of the Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute have levelled serious allegations regarding unsafe medical practices at K R Hospital and PKTB Hospital, claiming that injection syringes are being reused and basic protective equipment is not being provided.
The allegations were raised during an interaction with Dr Nagalakshmi Choudhary, Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, in Mysuru on Wednesday. The students expressed concern over what they described as a lack of adherence to basic safety protocols while attending to patients.
Allegations of syringe reuse and lack of safety gear
According to the nursing students, syringes issued to patients at the time of admission are allegedly being reused on a daily basis. They further claimed that attempts to discard used syringes are discouraged by hospital authorities.
“The syringe that is given to the patient during admission is being reused every day. The nursing superintendent scolds us when it is discarded after use. No safety measures are being taken,” the students alleged.
In addition to this, they stated that essential protective gear such as gloves and masks are not being adequately supplied, raising serious concerns about both patient and staff safety.
Hospital administration denies allegations
Responding to the claims, K R Hospital Supervisor Dr Shobha denied receiving any such complaints. She maintained that the hospital is providing sufficient quantities of syringes and necessary medical supplies.
“We have not received any such complaint. We are supplying sufficient syringes,” she said, rejecting the allegations made by the students.
Issue flagged as serious by commission
Dr Nagalakshmi Choudhary described the matter as highly sensitive and expressed concern over the apparent lack of awareness among hospital authorities.
“This is a very sensitive issue. It is regrettable that those in charge are not aware of the problem,” she said. She further assured that the issue would be brought to the attention of the Chief Minister for appropriate action.
She emphasised that neither patients nor students should suffer due to negligence or lapses in healthcare practices, and called for immediate attention to the concerns raised.
Call for accountability and safety
The allegations have sparked concerns about hygiene standards and patient safety in government healthcare institutions. Reuse of syringes, if proven, would constitute a serious violation of medical safety norms and could pose significant health risks.
Experts stress that strict adherence to infection control protocols, including the use of single-use syringes and proper disposal practices, is essential to prevent the spread of infections.
Conclusion
While the hospital administration has denied the allegations, the concerns raised by nursing students have highlighted the need for a thorough investigation. Ensuring adequate medical supplies and maintaining strict safety standards will be crucial to safeguarding both patients and healthcare workers in Mysuru’s public hospitals.