The apathy of the Kendrapada District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) on Saturday for a deceased octogenarian woman was shocking. The woman who was taken to the DHH for treatment was declared to be brought dead but the hospital authorities did not help the son of the deceased for carrying the body to the autopsy room.
There was neither a hearse vehicle nor a stretcher for carrying the body; nobody even turned up for helping the youth who had to carry the body on his shoulder in the end.
The whole incident of which a video was made and posted in social media went viral with people condemning the incident.
The 82-year-old deceased widow was identified as Dukhi Devi of Barahilo village under Derabish police station. Suffering from some illness, she was rushed from the Derabish CHC to the DHH after her condition deteriorated.
When asked, CDMO Dr Anita Pattnaik said she has directed for an inquiry into the matter and would take action against whoever found guilty.
This incident reminded of a similar one at Phubani a couple of days when the body of a woman was carried by her husband to the Mahaprayan vehicle in view of the noncooperation of the Kandhamal DHH staffs. As the incident’s video went viral, some concerned staffs were suspended later.