Baripada, June 4: A distressing incident at Baripada Medical College and Hospital has raised serious concerns about the availability of patient transportation facilities after a man allegedly carried his ailing mother on his shoulders from the hospital ward to a nearby diagnostic centre for an X-ray examination.
The incident, which reportedly took place within the hospital premises, was captured on camera and witnessed by several patients and attendants, triggering widespread discussion over the condition of patient support services at one of northern Odisha’s premier healthcare institutions.
According to Dhaneswar Patra, his mother was admitted to the Medicine Ward of the hospital for treatment. During the course of her treatment, doctors advised that she undergo an X-ray examination at a diagnostic centre located near the hospital.
Patra alleged that despite waiting for a considerable period, no hospital vehicle, stretcher, wheelchair, or patient transport facility was made available to shift his mother for the required diagnostic test. Faced with the possibility of delaying the examination and with no alternative arrangement in sight, he claimed he was compelled to carry his mother on his shoulders to the diagnostic centre.
The visuals of the son carrying his mother have drawn strong reactions from the public, with many questioning whether adequate arrangements exist for elderly and critically ill patients who need to be moved for diagnostic procedures.
However, hospital authorities have denied any negligence in the matter. The Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) rejected the allegations and maintained that there was no lapse on the part of the hospital administration. Officials also disputed the claims made by the patient's son regarding the non-availability of transportation support.
Despite the administration's clarification, the incident has once again highlighted the challenges faced by patients and their families in accessing essential healthcare services. It has also reignited concerns about the adequacy, accessibility, and responsiveness of patient transportation facilities within government-run healthcare institutions.
