Odisha to Launch Helpline for Transporting Deceased from Hospitals

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is set to introduce a call centre-based facility to assist with the transportation of deceased persons from public health facilities to their native places or cremation grounds. The initiative aims to provide timely and dignified transport services to grieving families.

A high-level meeting chaired by Health Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aswathy S. was held on Tuesday to discuss the proposal. During the meeting, officials explored the framework for the service and reviewed similar schemes implemented in other states.

As per the plan, a toll-free telephone number will be issued, allowing relatives of the deceased to contact the call centre and request transportation. The state government will also fix per-kilometre charges for availing the service.

To assess the demand and ensure sufficient vehicle allocation, the Health Department has directed officials to submit district-wise data on patient deaths occurring annually in government hospitals. The data will be analyzed to determine the number of vehicles required for smooth implementation across the state.

The proposed service is expected to improve access to respectful post-death transport services and reduce logistical stress for families during emotionally difficult times.