Ranchi: Over 1,500 patients admitted to state-run Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) went hungry for hours on Wednesday as kitchen attendants voiced their reluctance to use the hospital ramp to carry food trolleys.

The directive to use ramps instead of elevators was issued by acting RIMS director Dr R.K. Srivastava on April 30 after a woman in labour died waiting for the lift that was occupied by a food trolley.

Trouble started around 7am, a hospital insider told this correspondent, when kitchen staff were asked to distribute breakfast. They assembled before their supervisor, Jai Prakash, and protested against the order to use the ramp.

"The ramp is not just dirty, it is slippery in places and stinks. Kin of patients use it as a urinal at night. There are also no lights. Hygiene and safety are issues in carrying food trolleys on the ramp," a hospital employee quoted the kitchen staff as saying.

It was a chorus of complaints when this newspaper visited RIMS in the afternoon. As food trolleys stood unattended on different floors, famished patients waited for lunch, which was finally served around 2pm using the ramp.

"I am so hungry. Lunch is usually served by 1pm," said septuagenarian Shanti Devi who is admitted to the gynaecology ward on the fourth floor.

Sixty-year-old Anukama Devi, admitted to the medicine ward on the ground floor, echoed her. "The hospital hasn't served lunch yet. I have asked my son to bring me something to eat from outside," she said around 1.45pm.

Baleshwar, a resident of Chaibasa whose sister is admitted to the orthopaedic ward, said breakfast was late too. "It was served past 8am, an hour behind schedule. There is no sign of lunch yet," he told this correspondent around 1.30pm.

Sadar DSP Vikas Chandra Srivastava, deputed for the security of RJD chief and fodder scam convict Lalu Prasad, said he received breakfast on time, but not lunch.

The RIMS kitchen is outsourced to private agency Prime Services. Agency in-charge Jai Prakash claimed the problem had been sorted out. "The staff had showed their reluctance in using the ramp in the morning and again in the afternoon. However, the situation is under control now. Lunch was distributed among patients around 2pm," he said.

Dr Srivastava said he was out of station and would look into the matter once he returned.

"It is concerning that the kitchen staff are reluctant to use the ramp. This is not fair. I will discuss the issue with them. There is no condition in the agreement that says an elevator will be provided for distribution of food. At a time when a patient died waiting for an elevator, the staff should understand the gravity of the situation," he added.

Do you think the kitchen staff have a point? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com