Six wounded in elevator accident

MULTAN:

An elevator fell and crashed in Nishtar Hospital’s emergency department. An inquiry committee formed by MS Nishtar Hospital submitted a report and CCTV footage of the incident also came to light.

In the footage, relatives can be seen operating the lift themselves and carrying the patient's stretcher. The relatives tried to operate the lift themselves, instead of bringing it to the notice of the management or calling a lift operator. Reportedly the relatives were rushing to get the patient's CT scan as soon as possible.

Without balancing the elevator completely, the patient’s relatives pressed buttons in a hurry, causing the balance of the elevator to deteriorate. Muhammad Hayat from Khanewal was injured due to the fall and underwent immediate surgery. He was later immediately shifted to intensive care.

MS Nishtar Hospital Dr Rao Amjad formed a team consisting of Director Emergency Dr Amjad Chandio and Assistant Director Dr Zahid. The team submitted a preliminary inquiry report, which stated that when the incident took place, lift operator Muhammad Bilal was absent from duty without any prior notice.

The report additionally stated that the elevator is inspected and repaired twice a month. In 2013, 2 manual bed lift machines were installed in the emergency department and there is an urgent need for additional automatic lifts in the emergency department. The report of the elevator repair contractor is also attached in the report.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2022.