Mahaprayan fails again: Man carries mother’s body on stretcher in Bhubaneswar

The plight of a man carrying his mother's body on a stretcher on a chilling winter night is really heart-wrenching and it hints towards a complete breakdown of the healthcare system.

Manas Ranjan Bahu Balendra was forced to carry his mother’s body on a stretcher after authorities of the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar allegedly failed to provide him hearse service under Mahaprayan Yojana.

Manas Ranjan hailing from Dungar Pada area of Bolgarh brought his 82-year-old mother to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar after she fell in the bathroom and injured herself. At the AIIMS, she was diagnosed with brain hemorrhage.
 

The AIIMS referred the elderly woman to SCB Medical College and hospital in Cuttack due to unavailability of beds. However, Manas could not take his mother to SCB and admitted her to the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar. Subsequently, she breathed her last while undergoing treatment.

As per reports, Manas did not have enough money to hire an ambulance to their village. Thus, Manas requested the hospital authorities to arrange an ambulance under the Mahaprayan Yojana of the state government. However, the hospital authorities allegedly asked him to hire an ambulance.

Manas Ranjan said “I am taking my mother’s body to my village on the stretcher as I do not have Rs 5,000 to hire an ambulance. The government hospital did not offer any help to me. I tried to arrange an ambulance under the Mahaprayan Yojana but I failed. Hence, I am forced to take my mother on the stretcher to my village.”