Social Media Misleads on Hospital Hygiene Issue
Concerns regarding cleanliness, resources, and patient safety in public hospitals in Pakistan are often highlighted in local news. Recently, a video showing rats crawling over beds and pipes went viral, with many claiming it was filmed in a hospital in Pakistan. However, this video was actually recorded in a medical facility located in Uttar Pradesh, India.
The video clip, which lacks audio, circulated on social media with an Urdu caption stating it showed a government hospital in Quetta, Balochistan’s largest city. Despite the viral nature of the post, it is unlikely that any governmental officials will take responsibility, as suggested by the video caption.
The same footage appeared in other posts, including those from notable figures like Pakistani television host Mubasher Lucman, who also claimed it was from Quetta. Other users suggested it was filmed at Civil Hospital Karachi.
Public hospitals in Pakistan regularly face criticism due to shortages of medical supplies, staff, and ongoing hygiene issues, which have become common topics in regional news reports.
A reverse image search revealed that the same video had been shared months earlier by India’s opposition Congress Party, referencing a hospital in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. The original post highlighted the troubling sight of rats in the facility’s wards, drawing attention to the poor conditions.
While people in the video could be heard commenting in Hindi and Bhojpuri, expressing their concerns about the rodent problem, Indian media later confirmed that the video was actually recorded by a patient in the orthopedic ward of the Gonda Medical College on January 12.
Commenting on the incident, a local hospital administrator stated that they were aware of the situation and promised an investigation would be conducted. Following the viral post, a team from the Department of Medical Education visited the college to address the issue, as reported by several Indian news outlets.
This incident highlights the frequent issue of misinformation regarding healthcare standards in both Pakistan and India—a topic that continues to garner attention across various media platforms.
