The health department has only 10 hearse vans in the state to carry dead bodies to government hospitals. There is not a single hearse van in the district and sub-district hospitals of six districts. The government has directed the CMO to provide one hearse van in each district.
After the death of a patient admitted in a hospital for treatment, the family members have to face difficulties in carrying the dead body. The family members have to arrange for a private ambulance or other vehicle for this. At present, the health department has hearse vans in Dehradun, Haridwar, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri, Uttarkashi and Chamoli districts. Whereas there is not a single hearse van in Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Pauri, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar districts.
Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that the CMOs of the districts where there is no hearse van have been instructed to take immediate action to provide hearse vans from the available resources on the departure of the District Magistrate.
District Number of hearse
Dehradun 01
Haridwar 01
Pithoragarh 01
Rudraprayag 02
Tehri 01
Uttarkashi 02
Chamoli 02
