Man carries ailing mother on shoulders from hospital in Odisha

An incident at Baripada Medical College and Hospital has sparked concern over patient transportation facilities after a man was allegedly forced to carry his ailing mother on his shoulders from the hospital to a nearby diagnostic centre for an X-ray examination.

The incident reportedly occurred within the premises of the hospital's Medicine Ward and was captured on camera, drawing attention from patients and attendants present at the facility. According to Dhaneswar Patra, his mother had been admitted to the hospital for treatment and was later advised to undergo an X-ray examination at a nearby diagnostic centre.

Patra alleged that despite waiting for a considerable period, no hospital vehicle or patient transport facility was made available to shift his mother for the diagnostic procedure. With no alternative arrangement in sight and concerned about delaying the examination, he claimed he was left with no option but to carry his mother on his shoulders to the diagnostic centre.

The visuals of the son carrying his mother have triggered discussions over the adequacy of patient support services at one of the region's major healthcare institutions. However, hospital authorities have rejected the allegations of negligence. The Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) denied that there was any failure on the part of the hospital administration and disputed the claims made by the patient's son.

The incident has nevertheless raised questions about the availability and accessibility of patient transportation facilities for critically ill and elderly patients requiring diagnostic services outside their wards.