Rats Bite Patient at Bihar Hospital: A Symptom of a Broken Healthcare System

A shocking incident at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Patna, Bihar, has thrust the state’s crumbling healthcare system into the spotlight. On May 18, 2025, Awadhesh Kumar, a specially-abled patient, awoke to find his right foot bleeding from rat bites sustained while he slept in the orthopaedics ward. The incident, the latest in a series of rodent-related scandals at NMCH, has fueled public outrage and political firestorms, raising serious questions about hygiene, accountability, and systemic neglect in Bihar’s government hospitals.

The Incident: A Patient’s Ordeal

Awadhesh Kumar’s Nightmare

Awadhesh Kumar, a middle-aged patient admitted to bed No. 55 for diabetic neuropathy, recounted his harrowing experience to reporters. “On Saturday night, I had a high fever and was awake till 2 a.m.,” he said in a video shared by PTI. “When I woke up on Sunday morning, I saw blood on my foot. Rats have created havoc in the ward.” The bites, which removed bandages and caused bleeding, were discovered by Kumar’s family, who alerted hospital staff.

Hospital’s Response

Dr. Om Prakash, head of NMCH’s Orthopaedics Department, confirmed the incident was reported to the medical superintendent. “We have taken note of the incident,” he told Hindustan Times. NMCH Superintendent Dr. Rashmi Prasad announced the formation of a probe committee to investigate, noting initial claims from doctors that Kumar’s toes were rotting due to gangrene. However, she emphasized that the rat bite allegations are being taken seriously. “If negligence is found, the people responsible will not be spared,” she said. Two nurses were suspended following the incident, according to ABP Live.

A Pattern of Rodent-Related Scandals

A Disturbing Trend

This is not NMCH’s first brush with rodent-related controversy. In November 2024, the eye of a deceased patient, Fantush Kumar, went missing from the hospital morgue, with doctors attributing the loss to rats while the family alleged foul play. A surgical blade found near the body raised suspicions, but no accountability was established. Similar incidents have plagued Bihar’s public facilities, including rats allegedly draining 100 saline bottles at Katihar Sadar Hospital in 2020 and drinking seized liquor in police custody. Critics argue that rats have become a convenient scapegoat for systemic failures.

Political Backlash

The incident has ignited a political firestorm. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav lambasted the Nitish Kumar-led government, accusing Health Minister Mangal Pandey of dismantling healthcare reforms implemented during Yadav’s 17-month tenure as health minister. “In Patna’s NMCH, a specially-abled patient’s fingers were bitten by rats. Recently, rats gnawed the eye of a deceased person in the same hospital, and no action was taken,” Yadav posted on X, sharing a video of Kumar. He sarcastically remarked that officials might claim the bites were “surgically removed by a state-of-the-art robotic machine worth crores.”

RJD MP Manoj Jha escalated the attack, mocking Bihar’s “dinosaur-like rats” that “drink liquor, dig mountains, and demolish bridges.” He questioned whether Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is aware of NMCH’s conditions, calling the incident a reflection of government incompetence. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha dismissed Yadav’s criticism, but public sentiment on X, with posts like @abpbihar’s report and @TNNavbharat’s “RatsTerror” hashtag, reflects widespread anger.

Bihar’s Healthcare Crisis

Systemic Neglect

The NMCH incident exposes deep-rooted issues in Bihar’s healthcare system. Despite being a 500-bed tertiary care hospital affiliated with Aryabhatta Knowledge University, NMCH struggles with poor sanitation and inadequate oversight. The hospital, established in 1970, serves as a critical healthcare provider in Patna but has faced recurring hygiene scandals. A 2024 Times of India report noted that NMCH’s sanitation remains “severely compromised,” with families repeatedly complaining about rat infestations.

Public Outrage on X

Sentiment on X underscores public frustration. @NELiveTV reported the “havoc” caused by rats in NMCH’s orthopaedics ward, while @CNNnews18 highlighted the political row, amplifying Yadav’s accusations. Users like @abplive noted the suspension of two nurses, but many, including @TNNavbharat, emphasized the broader failure of hospital management. The hashtag #RatsTerror trended briefly, reflecting public disgust at the state of Bihar’s healthcare facilities.

What’s Next?

Calls for Accountability

The NMCH superintendent’s probe committee is investigating, with CCTV footage under review to confirm the circumstances of the incident. The suspension of two nurses marks a preliminary response, but critics demand systemic reforms. Yadav and Jha have called for Health Minister Pandey’s resignation, arguing that the government’s inaction has endangered patients. The Tribune reported a senior health official’s promise of action, but past incidents suggest accountability may remain elusive.

A Broader Reckoning

The NMCH rat bite incident is a stark reminder of Bihar’s healthcare challenges. Addressing the crisis requires more than scapegoating rodents—it demands investment in hospital infrastructure, rigorous sanitation protocols, and administrative accountability. As public outrage grows, the Nitish Kumar government faces mounting pressure to act decisively. For Awadhesh Kumar and countless others, the incident is not just a personal tragedy but a call for urgent reform in a system failing its most vulnerable.

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