Kayakalp ranking: Sangrur, Ferozepur, Moga hospitals flunk hygiene test

Attempts to contact the Ferozepur civil surgeon were unsuccessful.

Health minister Balbir Singh said some senior medical officers and chief medical officers lack administrative capability; he noted all health staff are working hard and denied any special treatment for top districts; he praised Ludhiana's top performance.

Surinder Singla, former assistant civil surgeon of Sangrur, urged authorities to address discrepancies and noted the district's chief minister's home district should have fared better.

Moga civil surgeon Dr Raman Singla said the hospital is short of staff, including an assistant hospital administrator; the deputy medical commissioner post (Kayakalp nodal officer) is vacant; the hospital will try to improve the situation.

Sangrur Civil Hospital's senior medical officer Dr Vinod Kumar cited pending renovation of the hospital building as a reason for failing to meet Kayakalp standards. He said renovation is tied to an upcoming medical college and is being carried out by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation.

Assessment results were released in Punjab: Ludhiana Civil Hospital topped the state, followed by Patiala and Amritsar; Sangrur, Moga and Ferozepur civil hospitals did not qualify; 17 other districts were placed in the 'commendation' category.

The Kayakalp award program expanded to include public health centres and urban health facilities between 2016 and 2017.

The Kayakalp initiative was established by the central government to recognize health centers for cleanliness, hygiene and infection control as an extension of the Swachh Bharat Mission.