Controversy continues at Bhima Bhoi Medical College & Hospital in Bolangir over lack of Mahaprayan hearse services

A fresh controversy has emerged at the Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in Bolangir following a distressing incident involving the transportation of a deceased patient. Due to the unavailability of a hearse under the state-run Mahaprayan scheme, a body remained unattended at the hospital for over five hours.

As per reports, the deceased identified as Suryakanti Majhi from Bender village under Khaprakhol block in the district, had been admitted to the hospital by his minor daughter due to health complications. Unfortunately, she passed away while undergoing treatment. Her daughter, seeking help to transport her mother’s body back to their village, searched for an ambulance.

However, the hospital had only one functioning Mahaprayan hearse, which was already in use for another case. As a result, the body lay unattended within the hospital premises for nearly five hours.

"The hospital employees are telling that the vehicle will come at 3 pm. However, it is yet to reach," rued Rashmi Bhoi, a relative of the deceased.

Later, following intervention by local volunteers and social workers who held discussions with hospital authorities, a government ambulance was eventually arranged. It was also revealed that two Mahaprayan hearses assigned to the hospital, are non-functional. It's becoming difficult to carry the bodies with only one Mahaprayan hearse.

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Social activists have demanded immediate action to resolve this logistical failure and restore essential services. Meanwhile, no official statement has been received from the medical  authorities regarding the incident.

"It is a matter of concern that Bhima Bhoi Medical College & Hospital in Bolangir don't have enough Mahaprayan vehicles. The girl was crying near her mother's body. As the hospital has only one Mahaprayan hearse, the body remained unattended at the hospital for over five hours," said social activist Gobind Satpathy.