Punjab Health Services Corporation director Dr Anil Goyal on Thursday highlighted “poor” sanitation and cleanliness during a visit to the local civil hospital.

“Sanitation needs a proper rethinking. There is a lot of room for improvement,” said Dr Goyal.

He stressed that the poor sanitary conditions were due to “lack of staff” at the hospital.

He visited the canteen near the main door and found several expired food items.

“I found a lot of expired juice packets and the sandwiches also had mold on them,” he said. Dr. Goyal observed that the emergency room was overloaded due to staff shortages.

‘Will address the issue with the state health minister’

He said the PHSC has prepared a detailed note on the situation at the hospital and will submit it to the state health minister with recommendations on what needs to be done to improve the situation.

They present a memorandum requesting a salary increase

Mulazim Sangharsh User Charges Committee chairman Raj Kumar handed over a memorandum of demands to the director.

Raj Kumar said that the temporary employees have worked with dedication and honesty for a paltry monthly remuneration of only $4500 to $6500. He pointed out that only 30% of the civil hospital employees are regular employees and the burden of work falls on the temporary employees.

He urged to increase the salary of all temporary employees so that they can adequately meet their family needs.