New SOP issued to boost safety, maintenance in govt medical college hospitals

Jaipur: The medical education and public works departments have jointly issued a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to improve patient safety and ensure timely maintenance in hospitals affiliated with government medical colleges across Rajasthan.

Under the SOP, each hospital will house a dedicated Public Works Department (PWD) post, staffed with 24/7 plumbers and electricians, while carpenters and welders will be available during the day. A 24-hour helpline will be established to handle maintenance and patient complaints.

Medical education secretary Ambrish Kumar said 2% of the hospital building's construction cost will be allocated annually to the PWD for maintenance, to be paid through the Rajasthan Medical Relief Society (RMRS). For 2025–26, the building value will be calculated at Rs 28,000 per square metre.

Typically, 70% of the fund will be used for civil work and 30% for electrical, though adjustments can be made with approval from the hospital superintendent and RMRS chairman.

The PWD will also handle annual and comprehensive maintenance contracts for critical equipment, including ACs, chillers, DG sets, oxygen pipelines, lifts, fire alarms, and CCTV systems. The hospital superintendent will release funds for these from the hospital budget or RMRS.

Complaints can be lodged via helpline, website, or app and will be addressed by contractors under PWD supervision. Payments will be made only after verification by the hospital's designated medical officer.

An annual structural survey by the PWD will lead to the issuance of a building fitness certificate. Maintenance work will be prioritised based on safety needs, including fixing leaks, waterproofing, plastering, electrical safety, repairing fixtures, and removing tree roots to prevent damage.

This move aims to streamline hospital upkeep and ensure safer environments for patients and staff.