Bhubaneswar, Oct. 10 -- A family in Odisha's Nabarangpur district allegedly had to mortgage its ration card to hire a private ambulance to bring their deceased newborn son home. The family was reportedly unable to avail the Mahaprayan service from Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput.

As per reports, the family paid Rs 5,000 for the private ambulance after the baby died late on Thursday night while undergoing treatment. The incident took place after the family's requests for a Mahaprayan vehicle to transport the body reportedly went unanswered.

According to the family, Ambika Nayak of Daleiguda village gave birth to a baby boy at Papadahandi Community Health Centre on September 29. As the newborn was underweight, ...