AGRA: BJP MLA (South) Yogendra Upadhyaya on Sunday paid a surprise visit to the government-run SN Medical College and Hospital here and witnessed absenteeism by entire staff , including doctors in its Ophthalmology department on Sunday. Stench from dead rats and stale food emanated from the ward the MLA visited.During the half-an-hour inspection, Upadhyaya found irregularities in virtually every section of this Ophthalmology department which serves patients from all sections of society, particularly those from the lower socio-economic strata. Principal Saroj Singh, along with other officials and staff, was with the MLA during inspection.When contacted, official spokesperson of the hospital Dr Shailendra Singh said Upadhyaya visited the medical college and asked the college principal to seek written explanation from the head of Ophthalmology department.Talking to TOI, Yogendra Upadhyaya said that he went to the Medical College following the death of a man in a freak accident of stones falling on him in the newly constructed maternity ward. He said he had been also getting complaints about the poor upkeep of the Ophthalmology department.He said he was shocked at the dismal condition there. "The so-called high-tech instrument are not working and what disturbed me the most was the absenteeism by the staff, including doctors," he said.He said when he was visiting the wards, they were full of stench from “dead rats” and “stale food”. He said rotting food was kept in the almirah of patients’ ward.He said he also found IV fluid bottles that were to expire very soon. He said that he has asked the college principal to seek a written explanation from the department’s head and furnish him a copy of it so that he could send it to CM, Yogi Adityanath.When contacted, head of Ophthalmology department Dr Himanshu Yadav said that he will submit his reply to the principal. He said that doctors “on call” are available for indoor patients and absenteeism of paramedic staff will be look into. However, he refused to reply on the issue of the stench emanating in the wards and the IV fluid bottles nearing their expiry date.