Canteens at hospitals in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi do not meet the basic standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
Vermin, cockroaches and mouse dropping, medical waste on food handling equipment and poor hygienic conditions of the catering staff are the main reasons.
Talking to APP, Muhammad Asad, a patient at a local hospital, said that hospitals had no proper arrangements to store food at the proper temperature.
Moreover, expired foods are served to the patients, putting their health at risk.
He said findings by local health inspectors painted a shocking picture of hygienic condition of the hospital food. It is simply unacceptable that such practices were taking place in an environment where hygiene and safety should be paramount, he added.
“Sick people are already vulnerable to infection. They don’t need the added risk of food-borne bacteria. Patients have a right to know how their food is being prepared.
