Escalator eases hospital access for people with mobility issues

OLD buildings are now being upgraded with outdoor escalators, as public demand grows for facilities for people with mobility impairments.

Outdoor escalators were installed at the Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre (SKSMC) in Klang, Selangor, to ensure convenience for patients and visitors.

This is in line with the Klang Royal City Council’s (MBDK) current emphasis for disability access facilities.

SKSMC invited Klang mayor Datin Paduka Noraini Roslan to officially open the escalator, in conjunction with the hospital’s silver jubilee.

Noraini, who is also a qualified town planner, explained to guests at the launch that the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal #11.2 encouraged installation of escalators for sustainable urban development.

Klang city, she said, needed sustainable solutions and innovative infrastructure based on data and technology.

“Places like hospitals or old folk’s homes are critical environments that need to be free of obstacles to ease movement for people with mobility challenges.

“Escalators can be viewed as a move forward,” she said.

At the event, SKSMC also introduced its new logo to celebrate its silver jubilee.

SKSMC director Tan Suet Guan said the launch of the escalator and new logo highlighted 25 years of the hospital’s excellence.

“It is a challenging task to instal facilities such as escalators in old buildings.

“But we wanted to make it easy for patients and staff to move around, and provide better access for those with mobility issues,” explained Tan.

(From left) sksmc executive director datuk Wira Lim Kim Long, Noraini, Tan and medical director dr selvi Thavamoorthy at the launch of the centre’s outdoor escalator.