Food is not just about satisfying hunger. It is more about an experience that engages all your senses at that moment. The taste of a dish is most important, but its aroma and presentation are equally important. Beautifully decorated food can make a significant difference to the eating experience, as can the utensils and plates used to serve it. Imagine you finally sit down to eat something after a long, tiring day. Just as you are about to take your first bite, you also see a random person’s medical test report, which contains the ailments they have, their prescriptions and more. We are pretty sure this would be an unpleasant experience for everyone. After all, even the most delicious food can lose its appeal if it is served poorly. However, a Mumbai hospital did not think of that. In fact, they reportedly served food on old medical reports of patients. The presentation immediately angered many and a video of the incident was shared on social media.
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The paper plates had the names of hospitals and patients and other medical details written on them. According to the clip, it was from King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital.
What’s going on ??
My attention was awakened wha…!
I will not do any blind action@mybmc@mybmcHealthDept pic.twitter.com/6gUw6BSSGA— Kishori Pednekar (@KishoriPednekar) July 5, 2024
The video has not only inspired some administrative actions but also a lot of reactions on social media. OneX (formerly of Twitter) wrote, “Isn’t this unhygienic… medical records must be carried to hospitals multiple times and handled multiple times by patients, doctors, nurses etc… how can they make something that is meant to be eaten.”
Even normal paper plates are unhealthy. The paper board is never cleaned/washed from the paper mill, printer, plate factory to you. They just cut and pierce whatever cardboard is there.
— Vijay Ninel (@vijayninel) July 7, 2024
“Come on, give them steel plates. Why are you adding to the pollution that you can’t clean up properly,” said another.
There is nothing wrong in recycling/reusing old and useless papers. Why so much fuss over this?
— Mithilesh Kumar Singh (@mithilesh_ifs) July 7, 2024
However, amid the criticism, a user also wrote, “There is nothing wrong in recycling/reusing old and useless papers. Why is there so much uproar over this.”
Let us go @mybmcGive them steel plates. Why are you increasing pollution which you cannot clean properly.
— Reggie Fernandes (@notxweet) July 7, 2024
Meanwhile, after the video went viral, the administration of King Edward Memorial Hospital, a civic facility, has reportedly issued show-cause notices to six employees. The hospital’s dean later clarified that the plates were not made from patient reports but from old CT scan folders.
“These are not patient reports. These are old CT scan folders that were given to scrap dealers for reuse. The only mistake was that these waste papers were not destroyed before handing them over,” Dr Rawat of the hospital told PTI.