PESHAWAR, Dec 29: Lack of arrangements for proper disposal of human organs amputated in the hospitals may lead to spreading many diseases as animals live on the flesh discarded without any care, said doctors.

“The hospitals have no arrangements for the disposal of amputated hands, feet and other organs, like gallstones and appendices, which serve as food for animals,” said a doctor.

Non-existence of dumping sites for the organs amputated or removed through surgery has caused the number of such animals to grow as they are left in open dustbins.

The animals pose a threat to the health of the patients in the hospitals, often causing rabies.  Such mishaps often go unreported.

Cats are found roaming in the hospital wards, particularly around the labour room. These cats and rats consume the placenta, which are not disposed of properly.

A pharmacist said the placenta was used in manufacturing of hormone drugs. Most modern hospitals earned from its sale to the pharmaceutical firms, he said. Those hospitals stored the placenta in freezers, he said.

An orthopaedic surgeon told Dawn he had repeatedly complained to the hospital’s administration about the problem but no action was taken.

Most susceptible to the conditions are the children.

A doctor said it had become impossible for the staff to eat at their places of duties because of the growing number of pests in the hospitals.