Goa, Sept. 2 -- SHASHWAT GUPTA RAY

The rat bite suffered by Ponda resident Nilesh Polji while recovering from minor surgery in Ward No 111, Bed No 29, at the Goa Medical College (GMC) has triggered political outrage and raised questions over hygiene at the State's premier government hospi tal. But this is not the first time such an incident has occurred. Back in 2012, the rodent menace was at its peak. That's when all the depart ment heads at GMC held a meeting with Vishwajit Rane, who was the Health Minister even then. Some immediate measures, including pest control, were taken.

Now, after 14 years, the same issue has resurfaced. Some of the HODs, now retired, who were present at that meeting with Rane, have attributed the problem to f...