Bhubaneswar: Odisha govt is set to introduce a centralised call centre for hearse services, similar to the existing ambulance service system, officials announced Wednesday. It will be a paid service though the price is yet to be decided.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by health secretary S Aswathy. The proposed service aims to facilitate transportation of deceased patients from hospitals to their residences, addressing a crucial gap in the current healthcare infrastructure. “We are assessing the annual mortality rates in hospitals across the state to determine the optimal fleet size required,” a senior health department official told reporters after the meeting.
The health and family welfare department will soon deliberate on the fee structure for the hearse van service. Sources indicate that the pricing model will be designed to ensure both accessibility for citizens and operational sustainability.
This development comes as part of the state govt’s efforts to streamline end-of-life services and provide dignified transportation for the deceased. More details about implementation timeline and operational specifics are likely to be announced in the coming weeks.