Patients on stretchers, hospital on its knees at GMC Baramulla

Baramulla, Nov 12:: In a shocking reflection of official apathy and crumbling infrastructure, both elevators at Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla are lying defunct, forcing patients — including the critically ill — to be carried up staircases on stretchers and wheelchairs.

The breakdown has sparked outrage among attendants and locals after a video went viral showing six men struggling to lift a frail patient on a stretcher to the second floor of the hospital. The disturbing visuals, widely shared on social media, have brought to light the grim state of facilities at one of north Kashmir’s key healthcare institutions.

Hospital sources confirmed that both lifts at the Associated Hospital have been out of order for several days, leaving hundreds of patients and their attendants in distress. “There is no functional elevator in the hospital right now. Even the staff is finding it difficult to move patients to upper floors,” said an insider.

The situation has been made worse by the fact that one of the two elevators has remained non-functional for more than five years, reportedly caught in a web of technical faults and a pending vigilance case. “The lift that was installed earlier wasn’t as per approved specifications. A substandard model was fitted, which led to an inquiry. Since then, the issue has been hanging fire,” a senior official revealed.

For a referral hospital catering to patients from across north Kashmir, the absence of a functioning lift has caused severe hardship — particularly for surgical, orthopaedic, and maternity cases.

“It’s inhuman that sick people are being carried by hand in a hospital that claims to be a major medical college. If this is healthcare in 2025, it’s a disgrace,” said a furious attendant from Kupwara.

Locals have demanded urgent government intervention. “Authorities must wake up. Both lifts should be repaired immediately, and a reliable backup system must be installed,” said Ishtiyaq Ahmad, a Baramulla resident.