Most dialysis units in India have a sign outside them that asks people to leave their footwear outside. This is to make sure that dirt does not enter an otherwise supposedly clean and hygienic area. So, patients and their attenders religiously follow this and leave their footwear in the designated area and only then go into the dialysis unit.

People who manage the unit however, do not follow this instruction for the most part. Hospital management, staff, dialysis technicians and nurses barge in to the unit almost always with their footwear on. Why this discrimination? Are your shoes cleaner than the patients'?

If regular footwear is not allowed, it should be not allowed for everyone. If it is allowed for hospital staff, it should be allowed for patients as well.

I have never understood this. I thought this was restricted to one or two hospitals. I was wrong. This is prevalent in many hospitals.

I dare not point this out too. Already, my being proactive has landed me in some trouble. I can do without more!