SAMBALPUR/JHARSUGUDA: A distressing incident in Jharsuguda’s Laikera block has exposed the significant shortcomings in rural healthcare facilities. A family was compelled to transport the body of a woman on a motorcycle due to the unavailability of a hearse at the Mundrajore community health centre (CHC) on Sunday.
The event occurred in Udiapali village, part of the Bhatlaida panchayat. Jamuna Chhatria, aged 48, had been unwell for several weeks and was taken to Mundrajore CHC in the early hours of Sunday after her health sharply declined. She was declared dead upon arrival at the facility.
Following her passing, her husband, Naresh Kisan, reportedly sought assistance from the CHC staff for a hearse to transport her body back to their village. However, family members claimed that the staff informed them that neither a hearse nor an ambulance was available.
With no other options after a prolonged wait for help, Naresh ultimately placed his wife’s body on a motorcycle for the journey back to Udiapali village. “I did not get an ambulance or a hearse. Although I attempted to arrange for an auto-rickshaw, the driver demanded Rs 5,000, which I could not afford. Therefore, I made the decision to take my wife’s body home on a bike,” Naresh recounted.
source – INDIAN EXPRESS
