Tumakuru news: In Tumakuru district of Karnataka, a man and his brother were forced to carry their deceased father's body on a motorcycle after being denied an ambulance. Gudukulla Honnappa, a resident of Y.N. Osakote area in Bavagada taluka, fell ill and was taken to the Government Hospital in Y.N. Osakote for treatment. However, he passed away at the hospital.
After Honnappa's death, his family requested the hospital for an ambulance to transport his body home for the last rites. However, the hospital authorities reportedly refused to provide one. Despite repeated pleas from Honnappa's family, the hospital administrators allegedly stood firm in their refusal, leaving the family in a desperate situation.
Faced with no other option, Honnappa's two sons decided to transport his body on a motorcycle. A video of this distressing incident has since gone viral on social media, sparking outrage and prompting social activists and the public to demand accountability. Many are calling for action against the hospital authorities for their insensitivity and failure to provide the necessary support during such a difficult time.
District Health Officer BN Manjunath said that he would visit the spot to verify the incident. He also said that the local people are afraid to get ambulance services if dead bodies are carried in them, as per a report on The New Indian Express. He alleged that it might be the reason why Administrative Medical Officer denied the service.
This incident has drawn widespread condemnation and highlights ongoing issues with the availability of emergency services and healthcare facilities in rural areas. It has sparked a discussion on the need for better healthcare infrastructure and the importance of ensuring that ambulances and other emergency services are accessible to all, especially in times of crisis.