Patients of Pathanamthitta hospital moved on bamboo-made stretchers

Pathanamthitta: Patients at Pathanamthitta General Hospital are facing hardships, lying on makeshift stretchers made of cloth tied with bamboo poles. The lift in the B and C blocks has been out of service for over a week, and the hospital authorities have not addressed the issue, leading to these life-threatening conditions. As it is an old building, there are no ramp facilities either.

Recently, patients were moved from the upper floors to the lower levels on these makeshift stretchers. Patients and their attendants reported that the cloth stretchers were used to transport from the upper floors to the lower floors. Every day, around eight patients are moved in this manner on what is referred to as a cloth stretcher. There have been allegations that patients have fallen while being moved this way.

Patients needing to reach the operation theatre on the third floor, as well as those needing to be transported after surgery, are facing this situation. The labour ward and pediatric ICU are located here. Even if post-surgery patients need to undergo scans or X-rays, there are no alternative routes to reach the lower floors.

As a result, many staff members are required to carry patients, and delays are common. Relatives often have to assist in moving patients. Despite complaints to the hospital authorities, no action has been taken, according to the patients' families. The UDF has protested against the situation.