<p>In a shocker, a tribal couple had to ride around 35 to 40 kms on a motorcycle carrying the dead body of their minor son just on the eve of the Republic Day in Palghar district near Mumbai. </p>.<p>While available ambulances refused to go and there was no hearse available.</p>.<p>The dead boy was identified as Ajay Pardhi, a six-year-old, who was admitted to the government sub-district hospital - Patangshah Kutir Rugnalaya - at Jawhar in Palghar district after a bout of pneumonia. </p>.<p>The boy died around 9 pm on Tuesday, the eve of the Republic Day. </p>.<p>After completing the formalities the parents took the body and drove to their home at Sadakwadi village, nearly 35 to 40 kms from the hospital.</p>.<p>The hospital does not have a hearse and some of the ambulances refused to go.</p>.<p>The ambulances are on contract and action is being taken against them, according to district surgeon Dr Sajay Bodade. </p>.<p>The boy’s father Yuvraj Pardhi said that since they did not have the kind of money that was asked, the ambulances drivers refused to carry the bodies.</p>.<p>“This is a shocking incident. In tribal areas there is always a lack of health infrastructure, doctors, nurses, staff and ambulances,” said veteran activist Vivek Pandit, a former MLA, who works in the Thane-Palghar belt. </p>.<p>The parents first wrapped the body and covered themselves with blankets as it was quite cold in the area and then drove the distance in the motorcycle. </p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH videos:</strong></p>
<p>In a shocker, a tribal couple had to ride around 35 to 40 kms on a motorcycle carrying the dead body of their minor son just on the eve of the Republic Day in Palghar district near Mumbai. </p>.<p>While available ambulances refused to go and there was no hearse available.</p>.<p>The dead boy was identified as Ajay Pardhi, a six-year-old, who was admitted to the government sub-district hospital - Patangshah Kutir Rugnalaya - at Jawhar in Palghar district after a bout of pneumonia. </p>.<p>The boy died around 9 pm on Tuesday, the eve of the Republic Day. </p>.<p>After completing the formalities the parents took the body and drove to their home at Sadakwadi village, nearly 35 to 40 kms from the hospital.</p>.<p>The hospital does not have a hearse and some of the ambulances refused to go.</p>.<p>The ambulances are on contract and action is being taken against them, according to district surgeon Dr Sajay Bodade. </p>.<p>The boy’s father Yuvraj Pardhi said that since they did not have the kind of money that was asked, the ambulances drivers refused to carry the bodies.</p>.<p>“This is a shocking incident. In tribal areas there is always a lack of health infrastructure, doctors, nurses, staff and ambulances,” said veteran activist Vivek Pandit, a former MLA, who works in the Thane-Palghar belt. </p>.<p>The parents first wrapped the body and covered themselves with blankets as it was quite cold in the area and then drove the distance in the motorcycle. </p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH videos:</strong></p>
