Bangalore: Hospital not disabled-friendly

In a surprise visit to Lady Curzon and Bowring Hospital on Tuesday, commissioner for disabled, KS Rajanna, observed that some of the facilities in the hospital premises were not disabled-friendly.

Rajanna, accompanied by officials of the department of disabled and senior citizens welfare, visited the police outpost at the hospital and found that the way chairs were placed obstructed the path of disabled people.

“I do not know why these chairs are here. I want the police to remove them. These chairs are blocking the space, hindering the movement of physically-challenged people,’’ said Rajanna.

Rajanna then decided to inspect the toilets. He first visited the toilet for patients, which was in a deplorable state. He then demanded that the hospital authorities take him to the toilet meant for the staff of the casualty block. The toilet was locked and the hospital staff tried to delay opening it, in a clear sign of trying to conceal something. As Rajanna was relentless, the toilet was opened, and it was spic-and-span.

“I am not happy with the facilities at the toilet meant for patients. I want the hospital authorities to reserve one of the staff toilets for disabled people, and I want the hospital staff to use the toilets meant for patients,’’ he said.

He also visited the lift and found that it had no railings for the benefit of disabled persons. The parking of two-wheelers on the ramp irritated Rajanna, but there was no one to take up the responsibility of removing the vehicles that were blocking the way to the ramp.

He also visited the block where outpatients register their names. He advised the hospital authorities to put up a ramp for the benefit of physically-challenged people who come to the hospital.