In a shocking incident that highlights the glaring gaps in healthcare infrastructure and emergency transport services in Odisha, a poor couple from Nabarangpur district was forced to mortgage their family ration card to transport the dead body of their 10-day-old newborn.
The heart-wrenching ordeal unfolded when Ambika Nayak and her husband Nakula Bhatra, residents of Daleiguda village under the Papadahandi block, lost their newborn son at the Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput.
According to details, the baby was born prematurely at 7 months on September 29 at the Papadahandi Community Health Centre (CHC). Due to low birth weight, doctors initially shifted the infant to the Nabarangpur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), from where he was further referred to the Koraput medical facility on October 5 for advanced critical care.
Tragedy struck late Thursday night when the newborn succumbed while undergoing treatment. Following the death, the grieving parents alleged that hospital staff failed to provide them with the government-funded Mahaprayan hearse service. Instead, they claimed insensitive suggestions were made—either to bury the infant locally in Koraput and leave by bus, or to carry the mortal remains back home on a motorcycle.
Left helpless and broke, Nakula contacted his family back home. Facing a complete lack of financial resources and urgent logistical support, the family was driven to desperation. They were ultimately forced to mortgage their family ration card—the sole lifeline supporting seven members of their household—to secure a private loan.
With Rs 5,000 paid to a private ambulance, the parents finally managed to bring their child’s body back to Daleiguda, where the final rites were performed.
Locals point out that while the Mahaprayan service rules often create bottlenecks for inter-district transport, critically ill patients from Nabarangpur are routinely referred to Koraput due to regional medical dependencies. When tragedies occur, families are frequently left stranded to face administrative apathy. Local intellectuals and citizens have strongly condemned the incident, urging the district administration to intervene and ensure dignity in death for underprivileged families.
