Mumbais KEM Hospital Lift Out of Service: BMC Orders Investigation
BMC has ordered an investigation into the lift failure at KEM Hospital, emphasizing patient safety and future precautions.
Mumbai, November 12 (Daily Kiran) : The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken a firm stance regarding the malfunctioning lift at the Orthopedics building of Mumbai’s King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital. An investigation report is expected within ten days. To ensure a thorough inquiry, a committee has been formed under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner of Public Health.
Following media reports about the lift’s failure, BMC officials responded seriously. The additional municipal commissioner has instructed the newly formed committee to deliver a comprehensive factual report within the stipulated timeframe. Furthermore, guidelines for a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent future incidents have also been mandated.
According to BMC, the lift in question is approximately 39 years old. Although a decision was made to replace it, delays arose due to the need to maintain patient services, especially for those unable to walk. The hospital administration has now initiated the process to replace the aging lift due to ongoing wear and tear and the potential risk of accidents.
To mitigate patient inconvenience during this transition, the head of the Orthopedics department issued a circular. This directive advised that patients who cannot walk should not be admitted to the Orthopedics Center but instead to the hospital’s multi-story building.
In a related case highlighted by the media, BMC clarified that a patient underwent surgery in May 2026 and had been using a walker for the past two months. They were readmitted for the removal of an implant, and their surgery on November 9 was successful. While hospital protocols allowed for their discharge post-surgery, they were kept in the hospital at the family’s request, which violated the circular’s instructions.
As a result, a show-cause notice has been issued to the responsible unit head, and the patient has since been moved to the hospital’s multi-story building. The additional municipal commissioner has established the investigation committee to determine accountability and ensure that such incidents do not recur, prioritizing patient safety and the implementation of clear SOPs.
BMC has stated that the safety of patients, uninterrupted healthcare services, and administrative accountability are its top priorities. Efforts are underway at both engineering and administrative levels to restore lift services as quickly as possible.
