A man allegedly carried the body of his newborn child in a cardboard box from Chakradharpur Sub-Divisional Hospital in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district after the baby died shortly after birth and the family failed to get transport assistance, officials and family members said on Sunday.
According to information received, Ramkrishna Hembrom, a resident of Bangrasai village in neighbouring Saraikela-Kharsawan district, had brought his wife Rita Tiriya to the hospital for delivery a few days ago.
On Saturday, the woman delivered a baby, but the newborn died soon after birth.
Family members alleged that despite the baby’s deteriorating condition, proper medical attention was not provided. They further claimed that after the infant’s death, the hospital administration did not extend any assistance and asked them to take the body away from the hospital.
According to the family, the father requested an ambulance or some other vehicle to carry the body to his village, but no arrangement was made by the hospital authorities.
Left with no option, he reportedly placed the body of the newborn in an empty cardboard box and carried it while leaving for his village.
The incident triggered anger among local residents after the matter came to light. Villagers and members of the affected family have demanded a fair inquiry into the incident and action against those responsible.
They have also urged the district administration to provide financial assistance to the family.
Meanwhile, hospital in-charge Dr Anshuman Sharma said the family had not requested assistance from the hospital to transport the body.
He said that if the hospital had been informed, arrangements could have been made to send the body to the village through the Mamta vehicle service.
The hospital administration always tries to provide necessary facilities to patients, he added, and steps would be taken to ensure such situations do not arise in the future.