Stray Dogs Rest in Broken Elevators, Patients Forced to Climb Stairs at MGM Hospital

Jamshedpur: MGM Hospital, the largest government healthcare facility in the Kolhan region, is running out of elevators. Out of the 16 elevators installed in the hospital campus, 12 are non-functional.

The elevator in the hospital’s Service Building—meant for transporting patients and medical supplies—has been out of order for a long time. While this shut elevator has now ironically turned into a shelter for stray dogs, hospital staff are being forced to carry heavy crates of medicines on their shoulders up and down the stairs.

Elderly patients and pregnant women visiting the Outpatient Department (OPD) are facing immense hardships, left with no choice but to climb the stairs. Despite multiple complaints and demands for repairs in the past, no action has been taken so far.

Medicines Hauled Up Multiple Floors Manually

The Service Building houses the Central Medicine Store on the first floor, which supplies medicines to the entire hospital. Because the elevator is broken, Class IV employees are forced to carry heavy medicine boxes on their backs and shoulders.

“Carrying such heavy loads up the stairs dozens of times a day is severely taking a toll on our health. There is also a constant fear of slipping and dropping the medicine crates,” shared a distressed hospital employee.

Elderly and Pregnant Patients Bear the Brunt

MGM Hospital operates various departments spread across seven floors, with the Medicine Department witnessing the highest footfall. While the Medicine OPD is located on the first floor, the inpatient wards are on the fourth floor. Additionally, the Maternity Ward and delivery centre operate on the second floor. Due to the defunct lifts, pregnant women and elderly patients face severe physical strain navigating the stairs.

What the Administration Says

When questioned about the crisis, MGM Hospital Superintendent, Dr. Balram Jha, stated that a long-term solution is in the works.

“A three-year maintenance agreement for all the elevators at MGM Hospital is being finalized. The relevant file has been sent to the department for approval. As soon as the contract is signed, all the broken elevators will be repaired on priority,” Dr. Jha assured.