The lack of disabled-friendly measures in State-run health institutions came under scanner, yet again, during an inspection conducted by State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) G. Harikumar at the General Hospital here on Friday.
Officials of the hospital were caught unaware by the surprise visit conducted by Dr. Harikumar, who flagged the various inadequacies that impeded access to the differently abled. Besides pointing out the lack of ramps and handrails on the premises, the Commissioner was highly critical of the unscientific design of staircases. The steep staircase and the poorly designed steps that led to Superintendent V.R. Vanaja’s office was cited as a case in point.
Pointing out that he had received several complaints from patients and the hospital staff regarding various hindrances to movement within the hospital, Dr. Harikumar ordered the Superintendent to shift to another room on the ground floor in order to ensure easy accessibility for persons with disabilities. He fixed a week’s deadline for carrying out the directive, failure of which, he said, would invite disciplinary action.
The Commissioner for PWD was highly critical of the lack of facilities for those who attended disability certification camps, one of which coincided with his visit. Dr. Harikumar also noted that many applicants complained that they were not provided chairs. He ordered the hospital authorities to ensure necessary arrangements, including disabled-friendly latrines, to ensure the welfare of those frequenting the hospital for disability certificates.
‘Shift to ground floor’
Owing to space constraints, hospital authorities had recently shifted the venue of such camps from the premises of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) to a dormitory that is further away from main entrance of the hospital. The Commissioner recommended that the clinic and other wings meant for treatment of the differently abled be shifted to the ground floor of the five-storied academic block that was being constructed for the proposed medical college at the General Hospital campus.
Speaking to The Hindu , Dr. Harikumar said that he intended to inspect all district hospitals and taluk hospitals in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam soon. “Despite being declared disabled-friendly, numerous hospitals in the State had a long way to go to achieve the goal,” he said.
He also inspected the PMR ward, Prosthetic and Orthotic laboratory, and the operation theatre during his visit.
