Jharsuguda: The body of a hospital attendant reportedly lay unattended for over 13 hours at the Jharsuguda district headquarters hospital before it was cremated here on Friday night.
The deceased Sarat Chandra Podha had been working as an attendant at the hospital for more than 30 years.
Reports claimed that Podha was infected with coronavirus and passed away on Friday. However, tension prevailed at the premises of Jharsuguda DHH as the hospital authorities allegedly did not hand over Podha's body to his family members or relatives.
The Covid warrior's last rites were conducted almost after 13 hours of his death after his body was removed by some staff wearing PPE kits at around 11 PM last night.
However, it is unclear whether his family members or the staff performed his last rites.
While protestors termed the incident as tragic and inhumane, the hospital authorities are yet to respond on what led to the alleged delay in handing over the body of the deceased.
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