Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi
Ranchi, Dec 20: In a shocking incident highlighting alleged administrative insensitivity, family members were forced to carry the body of their four-month-old child in a plastic bag after Chaibasa Sadar Hospital allegedly failed to provide transportation facilities following the infant’s death.
The deceased infant was the son of Dimba Chatomba, a resident of Baljori village under Noamundi block. According to reports, Dimba had brought his sick child to Sadar Hospital on Thursday. The child’s condition deteriorated during treatment and he succumbed on Friday.
After the death, the grieving family reportedly requested the hospital authorities to arrange a vehicle to transport the body back to their village. However, despite waiting for several hours, no vehicle was provided. Family members alleged that the hospital administration neither made alternative arrangements nor showed sensitivity towards their situation.
Left with no option and shattered by the alleged negligence of the healthcare system, the family carried the infant’s body in a plastic bag and travelled by bus to Noamundi, before beginning the journey on foot to their village.
According to an attendant of another patient, Dimba had only Rs 100 with him. Out of desperation, he purchased a plastic bag for Rs 20 from a nearby shop and placed his son’s body inside it. “With the remaining money, he paid the bus fare from Chaibasa to Noamundi and travelled carrying the body in the bag,” the attendant said, adding that from Noamundi, Dimba had to walk to Bada Baljori village.
Responding to the allegations, hospital authorities claimed that efforts were being made to arrange a vehicle and that the family was asked to wait for a few more hours.
“We do not provide ambulances for transporting dead bodies. There is a separate hearse service, and we have only one such vehicle in the entire district. The hearse was at Manoharpur at that time, and we requested the family to wait for two more hours, but they left with the body,” said Chaibasa Civil Surgeon Dr Bharti Minj.
The Civil Surgeon further stated that the infant was suffering from breathing problems and doctors had advised referral to a higher medical centre, which the father reportedly declined. “The child was admitted on Thursday evening and died at 1.15 pm on Friday. As the mother was not present, a feeding tube had been inserted,” she added.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari has assured that the incident will be probed. “If such an incident has indeed occurred with a tribal family, an inquiry will be conducted and strict action will be taken against those found responsible,” he said.