Civil Hospital, Amritsar, 2nd in Punjab under Kayakalp project

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 12

The Civil Hospital, Amritsar, bagged the second position in state for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene on the premises under Kayakalp project, an initiative of the Union Health Ministry to encourage hospitals to maintain cleanliness.

Civil Hospitals at Gurdaspur and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar bagged the top position while the third position was secured by Pathankot district. Health Minister OP Soni distributed a cash prize of Rs 2.12 crore to the government hospitals in state which had sent their nominations under the project.

Soni said poor cleanliness and hygienic conditions at a hospitals reflects badly on the reputation of the institute. He said that people coming to the hospitals often judge its expertise and level of patient care on the basis of cleanliness. “Even, if a hospital has excellent infrastructure and manpower, unclean premises would not let patients to have faith in the services of the doctors and medical staff,” he said.

Addressing civil surgeons and deputy medical commissioners, Soni told them to ensure that medical staff reaches hospitals on time. He added that late comers would not be tolerated.

Secretary Health Vikas Garg said 75 per cent of the cash prize would be given to the concerned hospital and 25 per cent to the staff whose efforts have resulted in the institute winning a position. He added that eight district hospitals, 12 sub-divisional hospitals, and 12 primary health centers from Punjab had participated in the competition. He added that hospitals were judged by a panel of experts on various parameters of cleanliness and hygiene after which the winners were announced.

About the project

The Kayakalp project aims to promote cleanliness and enhance the quality of public health facilities. The purpose of this initiative is to appreciate and recognise their effort to create a healthy environment. It promotes shared sustainable practices related to improved cleanliness in public health facilities linked to positive health outcomes.