A rocky ride for wheelchair-borne at civil hospital

Patients, in particular those being shifted from one wing to the other on stretchers or wheelchairs, meanwhile, face the brunt

Despite assurances from health minister Dr Balbir Singh regarding enhanced infrastructure at the civil hospital, the space outside the complex connecting various departments continues to await patchwork.

Beyond patient safety, the deteriorating condition of the complex also takes a toll on amenities like the stretchers and wheelchairs, rendering them unusable after little use. (HT Photo)

Patients, in particular those being shifted from one wing to the other on stretchers or wheelchairs, meanwhile, face the brunt. A shortage of wheelchairs and Class-4 employees adds to the woes as family members or attendants are forced to take on the responsibility of manoeuvring through the complex upon themselves.

Narrating his ordeal, Rudra Yadav, who was assisting his mother with a shoulder fracture at the X-ray department, said, “Acquiring a wheelchair is a major challenge as they have very few in number.

“Even if one manages to secure one, transporting them from one block to another becomes an arduous task due to the deplorable condition. Small stones often get lodged in the wheels, and the pits, especially if the patient is on a stretcher carried by a single person, pose a serious risk of falls,” he said of the poor condition of the complex.

Beyond patient safety, the deteriorating condition of the complex also takes a toll on amenities like the stretchers and wheelchairs, rendering them unusable after little use.

“Just last month, the hospital received around ten stretchers and wheelchairs as donations from various NGOs to address the shortage. However, the uneven roads are causing significant damage to these supports, making them even more unsafe to use. Several stretchers and wheelchairs become useless each year due to premature wear and tear,” disclosed a worker at the civil hospital, speaking anonymously.

The hospital administration, meanwhile, acknowledged the issue and revealed plans to revamp the roads within the premises under a project aimed at enhancing secondary care, which is currently underway.

“I have written to the area’s MLA and the Public Health System Corporation to temporarily recarpet the roads before the comprehensive renovation project for secondary healthcare commences,” senior medical officer Mandeep Kaur said.