Bihar News: Two women employees of JEEViKA were trapped inside a lift at Model Sadar Hospital in Siwan on Sunday morning after a power cut caused the lift to stop between the first and second floors. The lift’s power backup reportedly failed, leaving the two women stranded inside for nearly an hour before they were safely rescued.
The women had reached the hospital at around 8 am on Sunday for duty and were travelling upstairs in the lift when the electricity supply suddenly went off. As the power backup did not function, the lift came to a halt between two floors.
Mobile Network Unavailable Inside Lift
The two women were unable to seek help through their mobile phones as there was reportedly no network inside the lift.
Although electricity supply to the hospital was restored after around 10 minutes, the lift did not restart. The women then began shouting for help from inside the lift.
Workers engaged in cleaning work heard their voices and realised that someone was trapped inside the lift.
Hospital Staff Unable to Restart Lift
Hospital employees made several attempts to restart the lift but were unsuccessful.
Security personnel deployed at the hospital reportedly said they were unaware of who was responsible for opening the lift in an emergency.
After considerable delay, workers engaged in the construction of the nearby MCH building were informed about the incident. Nearly an hour after the women became trapped, a construction worker reached the spot and opened the lift gate using a key.
Both women were safely brought out of the lift.
Repeated Lift Problems Raise Safety Concerns
The Model Sadar Hospital building was constructed by Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited (BMSICL). According to the hospital administration, BMSICL is also responsible for the maintenance of the lift and other equipment for three years after construction.
The hospital administration said it had written several times to BMSICL officials regarding repeated lift malfunctions and maintenance issues, but no permanent solution had been found so far.
The issue of the hospital lift was also raised during a health department review meeting chaired by the District Magistrate on Saturday. During the meeting, the DM level sought a response from the BMSICL Deputy General Manager regarding the condition of the lift.
The incident involving two women employees the following day has raised fresh questions about lift maintenance and emergency safety arrangements at the hospital.
Hospital Superintendent Announces Emergency Measures
Hospital Superintendent Dr Anil Kumar Singh said that one key of the lift is available with the hospital administration.
Following the incident, he said lift keys would also be provided to on-duty security personnel so that people trapped inside could be rescued immediately during an emergency.
Dr Singh added that the hospital administration had repeatedly communicated with BMSICL officials regarding the repair and maintenance of the lift.
