Father carries newborn’s body from hospital in cardboard box, Jharkhand to probe why no ambulance provided

Sun Mar 08 07:27:27 UTC 2026: # Jharkhand Father Forced to Carry Newborn’s Body in Cardboard Box; Inquiry Launched

The Story

In a distressing incident in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, Ramakrishna Hembrom, a resident of Bangrasai village, was forced to carry the body of his newborn child in a cardboard box from Chakradharpur Sub-divisional Hospital back to his village. The incident occurred after his wife, Rita Tiriya, gave birth to a stillborn baby on March 7. Hembrom claims that hospital authorities failed to inform him about ambulance or mortuary vehicle facilities, leading him to resort to using an e-rickshaw for transportation. The incident has prompted an inquiry by the state’s health department.

Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Ajoy Singh has stated that a probe will be initiated, and action will be taken against any individuals found responsible. Hospital officials, however, claim that no request for transportation assistance was made by the family.

Key Points

• Event: Father carries newborn’s body in a cardboard box from a government hospital.
• Location: Chakradharpur Sub-divisional Hospital, West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand.
• Date: Incident occurred on March 7.
• Reason: Lack of ambulance or mortuary vehicle provided by the hospital, according to the father.
• Response: State health department has launched an inquiry.
• Hospital’s Claim: No request for transportation assistance was made by the family.
• Hospital’s Action: Internal inquiry initiated.
• Mother’s Condition: The mother is still admitted to the hospital and seeking discharge.
• Prior Treatment: The woman had reportedly been undergoing treatment from an unqualified practitioner before being brought to the hospital

Key Takeaways

• This incident highlights potential gaps in the provision of essential healthcare services, specifically transportation, in rural areas of Jharkhand.
• Conflicting accounts between the family and hospital administration raise questions about communication and protocol failures.
• The incident underscores the vulnerability of marginalized communities in accessing and navigating the healthcare system.
• The state government’s response, including the initiation of an inquiry, indicates a recognition of the severity of the situation.
• The fact that the woman sought treatment from an unqualified practitioner before going to the hospital suggests a lack of trust in, or access to, appropriate medical care.

  Read More