During the prevailing crisis in State because of the heavy surge in COVID-19 pandemic, a very gloomy picture of the pandemic came to fore, when the family members of a dead suspected COVID patient were seen pushing stretcher on the Jail road with the dead body in the capital due to lack of ambulance or any other vehicle for transportation of dead body. While undergoing treatment at the COVID Isolation Ward in Dr B R Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in the capital, Narmada Bahahud (55), died on Monday.

 

Her Rapid Antigen Test report was negative, while the family members were waiting for the report of RT-PCR test, which was pending. After her death, the hospital authorities refused to give the body, while stating that the body will be under their custody and will be cremated as per COVID-19 protocol. However, the family members created dispute by stating that since the Rapid Antigen report of the dead was negative and there is no sign of RT-PCR report, then why the hospital is not releasing the dead body. Since the dispute was taking a serious turn, the police had to intervene. However, the family members were adamant to take the body and somehow managed to take the body. However, in the absence of any vehicle being provided to them for carrying the body, the family members started pushing the body on the stretcher itself and pushed it for a distance of approximately 1km from the hospital to Shastri chowk in utter violation of the protocol.

 

The sound of wheels of the stretcher with a dead body on it, drew attention of many people who’re out on the road for purchasing medicines or on hospital duties or for other work. It was a very gloomy picture before them, as they saw the stretcher being pushed by family members, including women. The people who saw the incident were dumbstruck with no words. Later, the body was shifted for final rites with the help of a car from Shastri chowk. The stretcher was left on the Shastri chowk which was later picked up by the hospital staff with the help of an ambulance.