Jamshedpur Man Forced to Transport Stillborn Child in Cardboard Box
A distressing incident has emerged from Jamshedpur, where a 35-year-old daily wager was compelled to carry the body of his stillborn child in a cardboard box after officials at a sub-divisional hospital allegedly refused to provide an ambulance. The health department has swiftly announced a thorough investigation into the matter, which has sparked widespread outrage.
Viral Video Exposes Alleged Negligence
The case came to public attention when a video of the man transporting the infant's body in a makeshift container went viral across social media platforms. The footage shows the heart-wrenching scene, highlighting systemic failures in healthcare accessibility for marginalized communities.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Tragedy
According to detailed reports, Ramkrishna Hembram, a resident of Bangarasai village, admitted his 28-year-old pregnant wife, Rita Tiriya, to the sub-divisional hospital in Chakradharpur, West Singhbhum district, on March 5. During a routine check-up on Saturday, medical staff could not detect a fetal heartbeat and referred Rita for an ultrasound examination.
Before the ultrasound procedure could be completed, Rita began experiencing labor pains and subsequently delivered a stillborn baby. In the aftermath of this traumatic event, Hembram claimed he urgently requested an ambulance to transport the infant's body to their home, approximately 12 kilometers away.
Alleged Denial of Basic Assistance
Hembram alleges that hospital officials did not approve his request for ambulance services. Furthermore, ward boys reportedly insisted that the body be removed from the premises immediately. Left with no alternatives, Hembram sourced a discarded cardboard box from the hospital grounds, placed the infant's body inside, secured it within a grocery bag, and traveled home via an e-rickshaw.
"The woman was kept at the hospital while the family was asked to complete the last rites of the baby," stated Dr. Anshuman Sharma, the hospital in-charge. "No request was made by the patient's family for an ambulance. If there was any request, we would have arranged a Mamata Vahan (ambulance), which was available at the hospital."
Health Department Announces Formal Probe
Taking serious cognizance of the incident, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Ajoy Kumar Singh confirmed that a comprehensive probe will be conducted to investigate the allegations thoroughly. "If the allegations are found to be true, stern action will be taken against those involved," he assured the media, emphasizing the department's commitment to accountability.
History of Similar Incidents in the Region
This is not an isolated case in West Singhbhum district. On December 19 last year, a similar incident was reported from Chaibasa Sadar Hospital, where a man was forced to carry the body of his four-month-old son in a plastic bag due to inability to afford ambulance services. He subsequently boarded a public bus to travel nearly 70 kilometers home, underscoring persistent gaps in healthcare infrastructure and support systems.
The incident raises critical questions about healthcare accessibility, dignity in death, and the implementation of government health schemes for underprivileged families. As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders await concrete measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
