Taking cognisance of the shocking incident where a person was forced to carry the dead body of his younger brother on his shoulders outside the Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) hospital on Thursday as he had no money to pay for the ambulance, the Chief Minister (CM) Trivendra Singh Rawat has directed the medical health and family welfare secretary to provide a factual report on the incident. Expressing his annoyance at the apathetic and insensitive attitude of the hospital administration, the CM said on Friday that anyone found guilty for the unfortunate incident would not be spared and warned that such incidents should not get repeated.
On Thursday afternoon, a heart rending scene was witnessed by the people when one Pankaj, a resident of Dhampur (Uttar Pradesh) was seen carrying the lifeless body of his younger brother Sonu on his shoulders outside the biggest hospital of the State. When inquired by the onlookers, Pankaj said that he had admitted his brother Sonu suffering from Tuberculosis (TB) in the emergency ward of the hospital but Sonu died on Thursday. To transport the body of Sonu to Dhampur, the private vehicles stationed outside the hospital demanded Rs 4000 but Pankaj had only Rs 500 left with him.
On seeing the plight of Pankaj some eunuchs came forward for his help and arranged the vehicle. The body finally reached at the residence of deceased on late Thursday night. The shocking episode reflected the state of health services and stark fact that there is no system to transport the dead body from hospital to the houses. Some private operators transport the dead bodies but charge exorbitant amount for it and the poor had to shell out their hard earned money for it.