Patient trapped in malfunctioning lift for 42 hours at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College

Thiruvananthapuram: A distressing incident unfolded at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital as a patient, Raveendran from Ulloor, was stuck inside a malfunctioning lift for around 42 hours. The incident occurred on Saturday when Raveendran, visiting the hospital for back pain treatment, entered one of the faulty lifts around noon and was only rescued on Monday morning at 6.

The hospital's outpatient department (OP) has four lifts, one of which was reported to be out of order. Raveendran accidentally entered this dysfunctional lift and was trapped inside. Because his phone was broken, he was unable to call for help. Neither hospital staff nor other patients noticed his plight during this period. The lift operator, unknowing of Raveendran's presence inside, closed the lift and left for the day. As it was Sunday, no one came near the lift or opened it the next day.

Raveendran's family filed a missing person report after he failed to return home from the medical college. It was only when maintenance workers arrived on Monday morning to repair the malfunctioning lift that they found Raveendran in a weak state inside. He was immediately admitted for medical attention, where doctors diagnosed him with blood pressure issues but no other major health complications.

Reports indicate that there were no visible warning signs indicating that the lift was out of service. The hospital attributes the lapse to frequent breakdowns leading to the decision to shut down the lift.

Following the incident, the Health Minister has instructed hospital authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure accountability. The medical college's superintendent has initiated an inquiry, asked for a report from the security officer, and assured that appropriate action will be taken if any negligence on the part of hospital staff is found.