Odisha govt mulling to introduce call centre for hearse service

The Odisha government has plans to launch a new call centre dedicated to the transportation of deceased persons, similar to the existing ‘108 ambulance service’. A toll-free number will be provided for this service, designed to operate seamlessly across the State.

This was discussed in a meeting presided over by the Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) Secretary on Wednesday. Initial discussions about the service were held during the meeting.

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The ambitious initiative aims to provide assistance in relocating deceased individuals from government hospitals to grieving families’ residences or their chosen cremation grounds.

In today’s meeting, officials conducted a detailed analysis of similar arrangements in other states of the country. The Health Secretary has called for data regarding the annual number of deaths recorded per district hospital to estimate the fleet size required to effectively implement this service.

Future discussions will address potential fees associated with the transportation of bodies per kilometre, ensuring the service remains accessible to all socio-economic segments.

Funding and infrastructure allocation

The new 109 ambulance service received a dedicated budget allocation for deployment at District Headquarters Hospitals and medical colleges. This contrasts with Mahaprayan's Red Cross society management, showing a shift to direct Health Department oversight.

Implementation challenges

Persistent gaps in rural access and coordination issues plagued Mahaprayan, exemplified by 2019 and 2023 cases where families transported bodies manually. The new 2025 initiatives aim to address these through centralised dispatch systems and GPS-equipped vehicles.

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Mahaprayan scheme evolution

Launched in 2016, the Mahaprayan scheme provided free dead body carriers through District Red Cross societies. While initial guidelines mandated free services, implementation inconsistencies led to reports of paid usage in some areas. The program faced criticism after the 2023 incidents, where families resorted to motorcycle transport due to service failures.