Himachal Pradesh News
Only One Lift Working at Tanda Hospital: Patients, Elderly and Critical Cases Face Daily Hardship
Patients visiting Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital (RPGMC), Tanda, continue to face significant inconvenience as only one lift remains operational even after more than three months of ongoing installation work for new elevators.
Patients visiting Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital (RPGMC), Tanda, continue to face significant inconvenience as only one lift remains operational even after more than three months of ongoing installation work for new elevators.
The delay has affected the smooth functioning of one of Himachal Pradesh’s largest government healthcare institutions, with patients, attendants and hospital staff struggling to move between floors, especially during peak hours.
Hospital premises reveal that installation work on the new elevators is still incomplete. At present, the lone functional lift serves patients, visitors and medical staff travelling between the ground floor and the fourth floor, where several important wards and critical care departments are located.
The shortage of elevators has created difficulties for patients requiring wheelchairs and stretchers. Many are being transported through ramps, adding to the burden on attendants and healthcare workers. Elderly patients, persons with disabilities and critically ill individuals are among the worst affected by the prolonged delay.
Hundreds of patients visit the hospital every day, and many have expressed concern over the lack of basic infrastructure at a premier government medical institution. Long queues outside the only working lift have become a common sight, leading to delays in patient movement and increasing discomfort for visitors.
The delay has also raised questions regarding the pace of public infrastructure projects. Patients and their families are seeking clarity on when the remaining lifts will become operational, pointing out that a major healthcare facility should not function for months with such limited accessibility.
Dr Milap Sharma, Principal of Tanda Medical College, stated that the Health Department had transferred the required funds for the purchase and installation of lifts to the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department nearly six months ago. Despite repeated follow-ups by the hospital administration, the installation work has yet to be completed.
Hospital authorities acknowledge that the delay has impacted the functioning of several departments, particularly during rush hours when patient movement is at its peak. Staff members are also facing challenges in managing patient transfers efficiently.
As a public healthcare institution funded through government resources, residents expect timely completion of essential infrastructure projects and uninterrupted medical services. Patients and attendants have criticised the prolonged delay, saying that basic facilities such as lifts should not remain unavailable for an extended period.
Visitors have urged the concerned authorities to expedite the pending work and ensure that all elevators become operational at the earliest, easing access to healthcare services for patients, especially senior citizens, differently-abled individuals and emergency cases.
