Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, a 2500-bedded hospital with more than 10,000 patients visiting every day, has established itself as the best service provider in many areas. It has also been placed just next to AIIMS among all public hospitals. “We have outsourced the cleaning services to Lion Services Ltd in major areas, including Nehru Hospital, Advance Paediatric Centre (APC), Advance EYE Centre, Advance Cardiac Centre, Drug Centre, School of public health and other institutes,” says Naresh Mahajan, Sanitation Officer.
The manpower contract is with Om Security Services and TDS Security Services. Mechanised cleaning of the outer and general areas of the hospital are done round the clock. In the indoor patient area, we provide cleaning once during the day. Deep cleaning is done twice a month.
“We have deployed single discs, scrubber drier, high pressure jet washer and water vacuum of Eureka Forbes, Inventa Cleantech and other companies, supplied to us in accordance to the tender requirement. To avoid the allergic effects of cleaning chemicals, we use non-branded plain liquid soap for scrubbing; pine oil as deodorant and phenyl as disinfectant. The recommended dilution is 1:100, but that depends on the application.
“We have been trying to procure cleaning equipment and tools through tenders but somehow we haven’t succeeded, partially because of the cost factor. Thus, some equipment is being provided by the FM provider in line with the requirement and application of the area being cleaned.
“A major challenge is facing the transient phase from in-house cleaning to outsourcing job. Better cleaning and maintenance has a lot to do with users. Compared to private hospitals, the lack of civic sense in users is more visible in government hospitals. Using a public toilet properly, turning off water tap after use and not spitting everywhere are some of the aspects. Getting sufficient manpower is another challenge.
“The improvements in healthcare facilities and proper awareness have not yet reached the rural people. They still spit around. We cannot blame janitors all the time. To cope up with the challenge, 800-1000 people have been deployed for complete cleaning and maintenance.
“Another major problem is the disposal of biomedical waste. CPCB does not have the necessary provision in this area. PGIMER is planning to invest in a French equipment to ensure proper disposal of biomedical waste.”