The entire staff of KEM Hospital decided to take brooms and buckets of water in their own hands after being fed up of telling patients and their families not to litter hospital premises.

Patients and their relatives were dazed to see senior doctors, nurses and Class IV employees scrub gutkha-stained walls, clear clogged drains and sweep the entire hospital clean as a part of clean-up campaign. Some of the relatives vowed never to dirty the area again after being ashamed of their littering act.

Dr Sanjay Oak, dean of KEM Hospital caught hold of a broom and started cleaning the casualty area of the hospital and set an example in the history of the hospital.

While Dr N D Bhosale, deputy dean of the hospital swept the first floor staircase and Dr Nitin Dange, neurosurgeon swept the lift area. Pharmacologist, Dr Neema Rege took charge of cleaning the Cardiac Surgery Building.

Dr Oak who has received several complaints and e-mails regarding the unhygienic condition of the hospital said that they started cleaning the premises with the aim that the hospital will remain clean every day. The idea of cleaning ourselves is to make patients and their relatives understand that the filth they spread is embarrassing for them and others

Hospital staff complained that many patients and their relatives chew tobacco, pan, gutkha and spit all over the place. Some of them throw empty bottles, soiled clothes sanitary napkins and even wash utensils and clothes in the hospital premises.

Donning yellow jackets, badge and caps, the entire staff started the clean-up drive in the hospital saying, “Ekatra Yeu Swachh Thevu.”

Ravikant Singh, a resident doctor of KEM Hospital said that it is a unique way to educate people about cleanliness and hospital is a place to treat patients but unhygienic conditions could easily lead to people and doctors falling ill.

Staff said that the aim of the hospital administration was to keep the premises clean, after all cleanliness is next to godliness.