There seems to be no end to the plight of the poor who are forced to carry dead bodies of their loved ones in an undignified way after failing to get the desired Mahaprayan Hearse vehicle in different parts of Odisha. This time such an incident has been reported from the state health minister’s district in Sonepur district.
As per initial reports, a destitute elderly woman Rukmini Sahu of Meghla village was admitted to Binika hospital for treatment who later died of her ailments. It is alleged that no Mahaprayan vehicle was available to carry the body of the elderly woman. With no other option, the villagers reportedly carried the elderly woman’s body in a bicycle from the hospital.
“There was no one to take care of the elderly woman whom we had brought to the hospital. I was told by the hospital authorities to take the body else they would inform police. Without any other option, I took the body on my bicycle,” alleged Santanu Guru, a local resident adding that there are no facilities at the hospital.
Asked about the allegations, Dr. Santosh Bibhor said, “The patient died due to heat exertion. We told the attendant to take the body but we never asked him to carry it on a bicycle. We have no provision to provide any vehicle from the CHC.”