Rudrapur hospital’s new lift sits idle as dialysis patients forced to take stairs

Rudrapur: A lift installed a few months ago at Rudrapur district hospital to assist critically ill patients has failed its purpose. A majority of patients, particularly those undergoing exhausting dialysis treatments on the second floor, continue to painfully scale the building’s staircases instead.

According to patients and visitors, the lift’s tucked-away location and a general lack of operational awareness are the primary drivers behind the problem.

Social worker Sushil Gava noted that the elevator was built in a far corner, completely away from the main entrance, primary patient corridors, and the OPD.

For many elderly and rural patients, navigating an automatic lift brings its own hesitation. “We are not familiar with operating an automatic lift. Out of fear, we prefer using the stairs,” shared Mohit Kumar, who travelled from Gadarpur to accompany his ailing father.

Visitors have urgently requested the administration to put up clear directional signage and deploy a dedicated elevator helper to guide those in need.

Principal medical superintendent Dr MK Tiwari stated that the lift was specifically integrated to ensure smoother access to the upper-floor dialysis and diagnostic wings. He promised that the hospital would actively work on creating awareness and encouraging patients to pivot away from using the stairs.

Until those changes take effect, the medical facility intended to offer vital physical relief remains largely out of reach for the hospital’s weakest patients.