When Laxmi Munda of Arjunchuan village under Lahunipada block in Sundargarh experienced labour pain Wednesday evening, her family members immediately called 108 ambulance services. The ambulance arrived, but it had to be stationed some 3kms away from her village due to lack of motorable roads in the area. With no other alternative left, villagers arranged a cot and carried Laxmi on it till the ambulance.
She was rushed to Lahunipada hospital but as her condition deteriorated she was again shifted to Rourkela hospital. Laxmi gave birth to a baby boy there, but the newborn died moments later due to some complications. Locals said a precious life could have been saved, had there been a proper motorable road leading to the village.
Laxmi’s husband Rameswar Munda alleged medical negligence following death of child. "After she showed symptoms of fever, she was carried on a cot till ambulance. At Lahunipada hospital, doctors referred her to Rourkela. The child died after an hour of birth. We had come to the hospital earlier twice. It is because of medical negligence that the child could not be saved," alleged Rameswar.
The latest occurrence from Malkangiri where a pregnant woman had to walk almost 7kms to reach hospital, corroborates the grim situation prevailing in the rural belts of Odisha.
Sukri Sisa, wife of Buda Sisa from Dagabeda village under Khairput block experienced labour pain, following which her family members called ambulance to shift her to nearest hospital.
However, due to non-motorable roads and consequent unavailability of ambulance, Sukri had no option but to walk for 7kms to reach the nearest hospital in Khairput. She was accompanied by her family members while walking down the uneven hilly terrains. Sukri finally reached hospital safely.
Lack of road connectivity to the mainland has been a curse for the people here. They have been struggling with the same problem for years now. The local administration has allegedly turned deaf ears and seems least interested to put an end to their woes.
Video Editor: Partha Narayan Das
producer: Sanchita Mondal
The incident was reported at Kamalanali village under Redhakhol limits in Sambalpur district. The minor girl was declared brought dead at the hospital.
As per reports, daughter of Arjun Dehuri, a resident of Kamalanali village in Redhakhol, slipped into a well while playing with her friends on Monday. Her family searched her after she went missing and finally traced her inside the well after hours.
Her family immediately called the ambulance. However, the ambulance was stuck in the midway en route to the village due to lack of proper road.
Later, Arjun carried his daughter on his shoulders for around 2 km near the ambulance and rushed to the hospital. However, she was declared brought dead by the doctor.
"I walked for around 2-3 km carrying my daughter on my shoulders as the ambulance couldn't reach us due to poor road connectivity. By the time we reached the hospital, she had breathed her last and the doctor declared her brought dead," said Arjun.
Though the Odisha government makes promises of providing better road connectivity in rural pockets, such a heart-wrenching incident belied the claims.
On Monday, the wife of Mahendra Jagranga, Salmi suffered labour pain following which her family dialed the emergency 108 ambulance service for her immediate admission to a nearby hospital. However, the ambulance could not arrive at the village in the absence of any proper road connectivity to the region.
With no option left, the woman's family members and some locals placed her on a cot and stretchered her off towards the hospital. But as the condition of the woman deteriorated, she delivered a baby girl on the cot itself in the middle of the road.
Later, the relieved family members returned to the village with the mother and her newborn. The mother and her newborn girl are stated to be in good health.
Meanwhile, locals of the area have expressed deep discontent at the failure of the administration in laying a proper motorable road to the village despite repeated demands.
Administrative officials could not be reached for comment in connection with the incident.
The patient was accompanied by her husband and daughter. However, after crossing Sambalpur, the ambulance broke down on the National Highway (NH) after it developed some technical snag. Seeing the patient’s condition deteriorating, the family members asked the ambulance staff to take some immediate steps to shift her to the hospital.
However, she died before a replacement ambulance from Burla could arrive at the spot to pick her up. Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased alleged that the ambulance from Burla reached 30 minutes late.
They said if the ambulance had reached on time, her life could have been saved. Authorities of the 108 ambulance or the district administration could not be reached over the incident.
(Video Credits: Editor - Surendra Pradhan, Producer - Diptyranjita Patra)
According to reports, a local of Gudikhula who was suffering from high fever required an ambulance to carry him to the hospital.
Even as his family members called up for an 108 ambulance, it could not reach the patient owing to lack of motorable roads to the village.
With no options left the family members along with some villagers placed the patient on a cot and walked for more than 2kms to reach the ambulance.
"This is not the first time as even expectant mothers and serious patients were carried on cot previously. The ambulance could not reach the village due to poor roads so we carried my son to the ambulance stationed far from the village," said Jalandhar, father of the patient.
Locals complain that the village is surrounded by dense forest and there is no source of communication nor any pucca roads to the village which has been the main concern for them in times of emergency such as this. There are as many as 200 residents in the village.
Earlier on Friday, two such incidents were reported from Mayurbhanj and Malkangiri districts. In last one month several other incidents were also witnessed in other parts of Odisha.
As per reports, a woman of the village complained of labour pain early morning today following which the family members contacted 102 ambulance.
However, the ambulance couldn’t reach the patient owing to lack of motorable roads to her village and had to wait beyond the river nearby the village.
With no options left, the family members with the help of some villagers placed the lady on a cot and walked for nearly a km to the ambulance. They even had to cross the river.
Later the woman was rushed to the Bangiriposhi Hospital where her condition is stated to be stable.
In another incident, a woman's dead body was also carried on a cart after an ambulance failed to arrive at her residence in Malkangiri.
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Sources said, a woman of Srihari colony in Chitrakonda died today morning and her family members sought help of an ambulance to carry her dead body to autopsy centre but as the vehicle did not arrive, they had to carry her on a cart.
Meanwhile, responding to the news, former MP Jay Panda sought attention of the authorities in the matter.
"The mental & physical trauma that women face during pregnancy combined with apathy & callousness of the authorities is what can be observed here. We can't be oblivious to the rights & dignity of our citizens," Panda wrote in his twitter post.
According to sources, Basanti underwent labour pain following which her family members called 102 ambulance services. However, no ambulance of nearby Berhampur and Nilagiri hospitals was available immediately.
Later, 102 ambulance from district headquarters hospital (DHH) reached the village. Though Basanti was subsequently rushed to Nilagiri hospital in the ambulance, she was declared brought dead by the doctors. Moreover, delay in arrival of ambulance also resulted in the death of the unborn child.
"We called the ambulance at around 7.00 pm but no services were available at Berhampur and Nilagiri hospitals. Later, one 102 ambulance from Balasore reached our village at around 12 am. If we had reached the hospital little earlier, my wife would have survived" said Sanjay Nayak, husband of the deceased.
"Even after repeated calls the ambulance didn't turn up quickly for which the patient died," alleged ASHA worker of Kansa village, Bishnu Priya Das.
Responding to the allegations, Nilagiri 102 ambulance vendor Umakanta Nayak said “We have withdrawn our vehicles from ambulance service due to delay in payment of bills since November 5 last year. However, we are ready to engage our vehicles but the concerned organisation is not co-operating with us".
According to reports, Subai Nirikiyanka of Karikon village under Narayanpatna block in the district underwent labour pain following which her family members decided to take her to Narayanpatna community health centre (CHC).
Though the family members called an ambulance, it stopped some 3kms away from the village due to absence of motorable road . As Subai's condition continued to deteriorate, her family members with the help of some villagers carried the woman on a cot and walked for 2kms and then crossed the river to reach the ambulance.
"There is no motorable road to five villages in the block. Though this problem has been existing for years, nothing has been done in this regard," said Subai's relative Kundariya Trinath.
"We have to cross the river to reach the other side. During rainy season, life becomes very difficult because of lack of adequate transport accessibility," said Revati Kundariya, another relative of Subai.
Responding to the matter Rudra Prasad Bagh, Medical Officer of Narayanpatna CHC said, "After being informed, we immediately sent the ambulance to the village. Due to poor road condition the woman was carried on a cot and later brought to the health centre in the ambulance. Currently her condition is stated to be stable."
The woman had to be carried on a cot for 8 kms as ambulance failed to reach her due to absence of motorable road in the village, sources said.
As per reports, one Padmini Muduli of the village complained of labour pain in the morning today forcing her family members to seek immediate medical attention. Though they called an ambulance, it halted some 8 kms away due to non-motorable road in the village.
As Padmini's condition continued to deteriorate, her family members then decided to carry her to the ambulance on a cot. Later, Padmini reportedly delivered a baby girl in the ambulance on the way to Orkel hospital at Balimela in the district.
"We have to cover a distance of 15kms to reach Balimela healthcare centre. Due to absence of motorable road, we fail to avail ambulance services. In many cases patients die before reaching the hospital," alleged a local.
In a similar instance, one Moti Hantal of the same village delivered a baby boy while she was being carried on a cot to reach the ambulance waiting several kilometers away from the village yesterday.
As per reports, one Radha Khila of Kutraguda village in Badadural panchayat under Khairaput block in Malkangiri complained of labour pain on Monday.
The Asha worker in the village immediately called up 102 ambulance services, but the ambulance could not reach her due to non-motorable roads in the area. A few villagers then carried her on a cot for around five kms where a 102 ambulance had been stationed.
However, the 102 Ambulance services in its clarification mentioned that the road was in such bad condition that the ambulance could not move further.
Describing the sequence of events, the ambulance staff said, "We received a call at around 1:35 pm following which our 102 ambulance from Mathili was sent to that place. But it was stationed 5 kms before the village as it could not move further due to the non-motorable road."
"The relatives of the patient carried the patient on a cot to ambulance. The ambulance waited for about 45 minutes. The patient was then taken to Khairaput CHC," they said.
In another incident in Bhadrak, an expectant mother was forced to deliver her baby on a trolley rickshaw near Routpada in Chandbali today after ambulance failed to reach on time.
As soon as the woman complained of labour pain, her family members called up both 102 and 108 ambulance services, but none could reach their house. Left to fend for themselves, the family members were carrying her in a trolley rickshaw when mid way, she delivered a baby boy.
Condition of both mother and the child is stable now, informed doctors at the Chandbali Community Health Centre.
As per sources, the incident occurred after the expectant mother, Rashmita Chatar, complained of labour pain on Saturday.
The villagers called up ambulance services immediately, but it did not turn up due to non-motorable roads in the area.
With no other option left, a few of the villagers carried her on a cot for around three kms where a 102 ambulance had been stationed.
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As per sources, the woman was then taken to Mahabiroad Hospital in the ambulance and later shifted to Parajang Hospital as her conditioned worsened.
Though Kaitamati is a tribal-dominated area, the residents here still deprived of basic facilities provided under various government schemes, has raised concerns of many.
According to reports, the woman identified as Jambati Kansari Namni complained of chest pain early this morning following which her family members called up the 108 ambulance.
However due to lack of proper road, the ambulance could not reach the village and had to stop midway about 4 kilometres away from the village. The family members of the patient with the help of some villagers carried her to the ambulance on a cot wading through the muddy puddle.
Although the ambulance rushed her to the Govindapalli Community Health Centre (CHC), she was declared brought dead, sources said.
As per sources, one Bailo Sikka had to be rushed to the hospital after her condition deteriorated following high fever for last few days. The family members then called the ambulance services to take her to nearby Muniguda Community Health Centre (CHC). However, as the ambulance did not reach their house, her two sons had no option but to carry their mother to the hospital in a sling.
“We contacted the ambulance but we could not avail the service due to non-motorable roads here. We were forced to carry her to the hospital in any case,” her son Saiba Sikka said.
Doctors at the health centre informed that Bailo has been shifted to Rayagada DHH as her condition worsened in the evening.
Dr Manoranjan Rout, Muniguda Health Officer, Muniguda CHC said, “As soon as I came to know about the woman being carried in a sling, I sent an ambulance to bring her to the CHC but the vehicle could not reach her. After her sons brought her to the CHC, we found that she was suffering from fever since many days and her haemoglobin count was also low. We have shifted her to Rayagada DHH for better treatment.”
No sooner the CM expressed his happiness tweeting, “Happy to share, health cover under #BijuSwasthyaKalyanaYojana will be raised from ₹5lakh to ₹7lakh for women. This historic move, a first in country, will benefit lakhs of women & assure adequate healthcare coverage,” the Odisha Congress chief took a potshot at the CM through consecutive tweets and started citing instances of failure of the scheme.
Leaving no stone unturned, Niranjan ‘showed the mirror to BJD Government’ over the status of women in Odisha.
https://twitter.com/NPatnaikOdisha/status/1011904937486241792
Claiming that the efforts of the BJD are just eyewash for the people of Odisha, Niranjan pointed at many such instances including minor girl rapes, ambulance failure, absence of adequate healthcare services for women leading to delivery on roads and auto-rickshaws, and many other schemes that have remained just on papers.
A few months ago, another woman gave birth in a drain, near hospital's canteen in Koraput after she was refused admission by hospital. If you think it can't get worse than this, then you are mistaken. (2/n)
BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED! pic.twitter.com/KuISLqliMd
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
As usual, ambulance failed to show up and a woman, in Mayurbhanj, was forced to deliver baby on road. This, for reasons unknown, is considered as a badge of honour by the BJD Govt. (3/n)
BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED! pic.twitter.com/pMbEAFJxp4
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
In the absence of adequate healthcare services and nearly no infrastructure development in Rayagada distt, a woman gave birth to a still born on road, while being carried in a sling to a community healthcare centre. (4/n)
BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED! pic.twitter.com/HDmdrjdNGy
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
The OPCC chief further questioned on what basis the BJD government is shamelessly making tall claims of progress in healthcare.
In yet another incident, a woman was forced to deliver her baby on road due to unavailability of ambulances. On what basis does the BJD Govt shamelessly make tall claims of progress in healthcare? (5/n)
BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED! pic.twitter.com/fAQOPs9gvI
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
According to the NCRB data, in 2015, 995 minor girls were raped and in 2016, 1258 minors were raped in Odisha. Even now, almost everyday we hear of such heinous incidents in our state. (6/n)
BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED! pic.twitter.com/NwxbGCFl6e
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
Odisha ranks 4th in India in terms of number of rapes of minor girls, according to NCRB data 2016. (7/n)
BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED! pic.twitter.com/iHdZKiyZXT
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
It's not just in terms of law & order and violence against women where BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED. If talk about human development indices, even there the Govt has failed the women of our state. 51% women in Odisha are anaemic. (Source: NFHS-4, 2015-16) (8/n) pic.twitter.com/EcVqIAkAEg
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
It's not just in terms of law & order and violence against women where BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED. If talk about human development indices, even there the Govt has failed the women of our state. 51% women in Odisha are anaemic. (Source: NFHS-4, 2015-16) (8/n) pic.twitter.com/EcVqIAkAEg
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
Last but not the least: 24 women are sexually assaulted EVERY DAY in Odisha (NCRB). Horrifying!
The BJD Govt must STOP making fake claims about #OdishaForWomen, via paid PR campaigns and instead introspect on how & why they have failed mothers & daughters of Odisha! (9/9) pic.twitter.com/2sIwuqqxu1
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
Reportedly, during discussions at Ama Gaon Ama Bikash session today, one Mamata from Malkangiri called for enhancing Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana cover for women. Taking note of this, CM Naveen decided to increase the amount from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh for women.
Naveen had also tweeted on Odisha for Women initiative stating “From Mission Shakti to Mamata & Khushi to land rights & houses, 50% reservation in Panchayats to free bicycles & hostels for girls, Odisha stands for women. The enhanced BSKY cover is yet another step for women & also for Healthy, Happy & Empowered Odisha.”
The case reported from Phulbadia village under Morada block of the district has once again exposed the lacunae in healthcare service delivery in Odisha.
According to reports, family members of one Sulochana Mahanta of the village contacted ambulance services as her water broke.
According to sources, Sulochana’s family members kept calling and waited to get some assistance, but as the ambulance did not turn up, she had to be transferred to the nearby hospital through a private auto rickshaw.
During the journey, Sulochana reportedly gave birth to a baby girl. Later the mother and her child were admitted to Kishantandi hospital where both are stated to be in good condition.
According to sources, Tanu Gouda, wife of Panchanan Gouda along with two other people were injured during a lightning strike while working on farmland.
Upon getting information, the villagers called for an ambulance and fire services department but after waiting for long the villagers arranged a motorcycle to send Tanu to Purushottampur hospital when the ambulance did not arrive.
Unfortunately, after admitted, Tanu was declared dead at the hospital.
An ambulance kept at Purushottampur hospital has been defunct since last three months while there is no other ambulance service in nearby areas due to which Tanu’s life could not be saved, her family members complained.
The woman, along with her husband Dibya Kanwar was on her way to a relative's house in Arapa when the labour pain started. Although Kanwar called up both 102 and 108 ambulance services, none could reach on time.
Left to fend for themselves, Kanwar erected a temporary tent with help of four sticks and helped his wife deliver a baby boy. Later an ambulance reached the spot and took mother and the child to the Phulbani hospital.
Condition of the duo is stable now, informed hospital sources.
The deceased youth, Arjun Singh had drowned while taking bath in a dam.
As Arjun's condition was critical, locals had called up the 108 ambulance services to rush him to hospital. But even after two hours, the ambulance did not turn up which led to his death, locals alleged.
“We were present at the spot when Arjun had gone to take bath. After some time we heard people screaming that he has drowned. We rescued him and after we found him gasping for breath, we contacted the 108 ambulance services to take him to hospital. Even after two hours not a single ambulance arrived at the spot and Arjun died before our eyes,” said an eye-witness Ranjan Lenka.
Following the incident, locals carried the body on a cot and started to march towards the Collector office in Baripada, situated five kilometres away from the village.
However, police intervened midway and sent the body for post-mortem.
“We got information that one Arjun Singh of Kainphulia has drowned while taking bath at a dam. When we arrived, the villagers were carrying his body. We pacified them and brought the body to hospital in a hearse. An unnatural death case has been registered and the body has been sent for post-mortem,” said IIC of Sadar police station, Swarnalata Minz.
The locals have even alleged that they had sought help of the fire services after Arjun drowned in the dam but none arrived at the spot.
Fire services authorities on the other hand refuted the allegation.
“There is a lack of awareness among the people. In case of drowning they should have called the fire brigade first as it is an immediate responder in such emergency cases. Locals had first contacted 108 ambulance services, then police and fire services at last. But, we responded immediately after getting the information, reached the spot and completed all our procedures before returning to station,” said Baripada fire officer, Prakash Kumar Jena.
According to reports, the woman had developed labour pain late on Saturday night and it was only at around 5 am on Sunday that the family members had contacted the ambulance.
However, as no ambulance attached with Kalyansinghpur Community Health Centre was available, another vehicle from Kolnara was requisitioned which was nearly 50 kms away from the spot.
By the time ambulance reached the spot, the woman had already delivered a girl child on the roadside with assistance from a local ASHA worker.
"As both the mother and child were shivering, we had to make provisions for fire to protect them from intense cold," said a family member.
Later both the mother and her baby were taken to the Kalyansinghpur CHC and their condition is said to be stable after preliminary treatment.
Sources said the family members of the woman called up 108 ambulance service when she suddenly fell ill. The ambulance, which was one kilometre away from the house, could not come to the place due to poor condition of the road.
Later, the family members carried the woman to the ambulance on a cot. She was first admitted to Khaira health centre, where doctors reffered her to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack as her condition further deteriorated.
However, the woman died on her way to the hospital.
According to sources, Purnami Dangua of Luhajala village under Bansapal block in the district suffered labour pain and called for an 108 ambulance but the vehicle could not turn up due to absence of good road to the village.
Failing to get any other source, Purnami's kin carried her on an wooden basket fitted to a sling for nearly three km.
After reaching Marasuan, the nearest motorable road, the ambulance picked her up and she was admitted to Bansapal hospital.
Else, another expectant mother would not have delivered a baby on roadside near Khasiguda under Kalyansinghpur block after ambulance failed to arrive in time.
Family members of the woman called ambulance soon after she started complaining of labour pain. However, the ambulance didn’t reach in time following which the family had to hire an auto-rickshaw to take her to hospital.
“We had to stop the auto-rickshaw and take her to roadside for delivery as the labour pain increased. Later, she delivered there only and returned in the same auto as the ambulance had not reached by then too,” said a family member.
Also Read: Ambulance failure: Woman delivers baby in auto-rickshaw; probe ordered
Till last reports came in, the condition of the new-born girl was critical.
Around 14 cases have been reported in the last few months in Kalyansinghpur area where women either delivered in auto-rickshaws or while walking or being carried on cots to hospital.
The government recently launched ‘bike ambulance’ service in different areas along with.
As per reports, the deceased, identified as Baidhar Bindhani, drowned in a pond on Friday. The villagers rescued Bindhani and dialled 108 Ambulance service. However, they were denied of the service allegedly due to unavailability of any Ambulance.
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Left with no choice, the family members carried Bindhani on a trolley rickshaw to the Simulia Community Healthcare Centre. But the doctors declared him brought dead.
Adding to the woes, the family didn't even get any Ambulance service to send the body for post mortem. They had to carry the dead body again on the trolley rickshaw.
"We dialled 108 to avail the government ambulance but the receiver refused to come. This forced us to carry the body on trolley rickshaw," said a villager.
https://youtu.be/ohjVXfzdBa0
Family members of Kabita Padhan called '102' ambulance in the evening on Wednesday soon after she suffered from labour pain. "But, we had to hire an auto-rickshaw to take her to hospital as the ambulance didn't reach in time. She delivered a baby girl inside the vehicle before reaching the district headquarters hospital," Kalindi Padhan, husband of Kabita said.
Later, they called a '108' ambulance and took the mother and newborn to the hospital.
The kin of the victim held ambulance authorities responsible for the incident. Meanwhile, Angul Collector ordered the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) to enquire into the matter and submit a report in three days.
The Collector said action will be taken against whoever found guilty.
Manjula, a resident of Litibandei village complained of labour pain on Saturday. Soon, the local Asha worker and her family members called for an ambulance.
But even after waiting for hours, as ambulance did not arrive they were forced to carry Manjula in a cot tied to a bamboo pole to reach Lanjigarh junction.
Later she was shifted to the Lanjigarh Government Hospital after an ambulance picked her up from the junction.
“The woman was brought to the hospital after they reached Lanjigarh main road. The exact case would be ascertained only after information from the Asha and ANM workers. Heavy rains have damaged roads in the interior areas making it difficult for ambulance access,” Kalahandi CDMO Jagulal Agarwal said.
Also Read: Whither Janani Suraksha: Expectant mother carried on cot again!
“We are trying to provide all facilities from stretcher to ambulance in cut off areas. I hope all the areas would be covered very soon,” added Agarwal.
In a similar incident last month, a pregnant woman from Trilochanpur was carried for 16 kms on a stretcher to reach a hospital in Lanjigarh.
According to reports, the incident occurred in Kalasada village under Jharigaon block where the expectant mother, Sulochana Saanta, complained of labour pain today morning.
With the village roads in bad condition lacking any means of transportation to even avail 102 ambulance, the family members, hardly left with a choice, were forced to carry her on a cot to a nearby hospital.
However, Sulochana reportedly delivered a baby on the way to hospital after which the family members brought her back to the village.
While the negligence in ambulance services and deplorable roads continue to give patients tough time in rural areas, questions are being raised on the steps taken by State Government to resolve the growing cases.
In yet another example of failure of the state-sponsored Janani Surakhya Yojana, a woman of Sunakhandi Tikarpada village under Kalyansighpur block in Rayagada district delivered a baby in an auto on her way to hospital today.
The incident has come as a shock as barely after 24 hours of announcement of setting up of two Maa Gruhas and a delivery point in Kalyansighpur block, an expectant mother had to suffer in the same place in Rayagada.
According to sources, the family members of the woman had called up the 102 ambulance to rush her to Kalyansinghpur Community Health Centre (CHC) after she complained of labour pain.
However, as no vehicle turned up, they were forced to carry her to the hospital in an autorickshaw. Later she delivered a baby boy in the three-wheeler on way to hospital.
Family members said that after the delivery, both the woman and newborn have been admitted to hospital and their condition is said to be critical.
Soon after the delivery, the condition of the baby deteriorated. With no other alternative, her relatives carried her in a sling and waded through waist-deep water in a canal to reach the hospital.
The relatives alleged that the ambulance vehicle did not turn up even after they called for the service.
Sources said the ASHA worker of Pakheru village informed the 108 and 102 ambulance over phone when the woman writhed in labour pain. However, the vehicle was not available at that time and as the woman's condition deteriorated, her relatives carried her in a sling and covered five kilometres to reach Kalyansinghpur health centre.
Unfortunately, she delivered a baby girl on the way to hospital. But, the newborn died soon after.
Keonjhar/Bhubaneswar: That the healthcare services in Odisha have been far less than what is desired was once again proved after three different cases of ambulance failure and medical negligence were reported from Keonjhar and Bhubaneswar.
In Keonjhar, one Etwa Munda had to carry his seriously ailing wife, Samtara in a trolley rickshaw to a hospital in Balani under Joda block after failing to avail neither a vehicle nor an ambulance. According to sources, Munda’s financial condition is precarious.
In another incident, in the mining town, a 19-day old newborn in Kula Dhankuni village allegedly died after being branded with a hot iron rod. The kid who suffered from stomach pain was treated with hot iron by his family members few days back. When his condition worsened he was shifted to Harichandanpur hospital where he succumbed on Tuesday.
In Bhubaneswar, tension gripped KIDS hospital near Dumduma after death of a patient following alleged negligence. Locals said the patient identified as Akhtar Biwi of Jadupur was critical and hospital authorities advised to shift him but did not arrange for an ambulance which led to her death. Irate locals ransacked the hospital premises and staged a dharna blocking the nearby road.
The incident happened at Kansabundei village under Lanjigarh block, where despite calling 102 ambulance to carry a pregnant woman to hospital, the service failed to reach. In pain, the woman was carried in a cloth swing tied to bamboo pole for 6 kilometres. Later she was shifted to Lanjigargh with the help of a relative's vehicle. From there, an ambulance took her to Bhawanipatna hospital where she is currently undergoing treatment in critical condition post a surgery.
Since the surgery was carried out nearly 12 hours late, the unborn child of the woman died.
Asked about the incident, the ambulance driver said, “The vehicle cannot ply on the kuccha road in the village so I informed the matter to the control room and asked if the patient can be brought to the main road but when they said they were unable to do so, we returned empty handed.
Meanwhile, the Block Development Officer (BDO) has ordered a probe into the incident.
Earlier on Monday in Kalyansinghpur, a pregnant lady was similarly carried for nearly five km on dangerous terrains and across Nagabali River on a stretcher. Later on Tuesday another pregnant woman delivered her baby on a panchayat office premises in Narayanpatna. A woman had also delivered her baby in front of the gate of Bhanjanagar hospital.
The minister further ordered a departmental inquiry into the failure of the ambulance service in this incident.
“A thorough investigation is required over such negligence. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against those who are responsible," said Jena.
According to the claims of Damani Gond's family members, she complained of labour pain on Monday following which the 108 and 102 ambulance service was called. But as the vehicles did not arrive, she was carried by them for nearly three kilometres and then taken to Umerkote Community Health Centre (CHC) by booking a private vehicle, the family members said.
Damani gave birth to a baby boy in the CHC. The condition of both mother and son was said to be safe.
Bhadrak: Being rebuffed by police and 108 ambulance a son had to carry the body of his dead father on a cycle-trolley to a hospital at Nathasahi village in Utarbahini under Purunabazar police station of Bhadrak district today.
The deceased identified as Bhajahari Nath had consumed poision for some reason and had died two kilometres away from his home. Police had reached the spot and instructed Bhajahari's son Laxmidhar to take the body to hospital.
As per Laxmidhar's statement he did not have any money to arrange a means of transport so he called for 108 ambulance, but as the ambulance did not turn up he had to take his father's body on a cycle-trolley to the hospital. On the other hand authorities are silent on the incident.
According to reports, Hiramani Nayak of Kaduabada village under Patrapur block in the district suffered labour pain yesterday morning following which her family members decided to take her to hospital.
#WATCH: Pregnant woman carried on cot for 15 kms due to lack of motorable road at Kaduabada village under Patrapur block in Ganjam district #Odisha pic.twitter.com/dN1rBXl6UC
— OTV (@otvnews) October 21, 2018
However due to absence of a motorable road to the village, the family members, with the help of some villagers, carried her on a cot and walked for 15 kilometres to reach Talakuandhala.
Later, she was rushed to the Patrapur Community Health Centre (CHC) from Talakuandhala in a government vehicle and later shifted to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur after her condition deteriorated.
The woman, a resident of Ganiapalli village under Pratappur panchayat in Jagannath Prasad block complained of labour pain at around 10 pm yesterday.
As per sources, her family members immediately called up 102 ambulance but the vehicle halted around one kilometre away at Balimela village, due to the bad roads.
#Watch: Pregnant woman carried on cot after ambulance fails to reach Ganiapalli village in the absence of motorable road #Ganjam #Odisha pic.twitter.com/46cBnWgvHc
— OTV (@otvnews) September 24, 2018
As the woman’s condition continued to deteriorate, her family members, with the help of a few villagers placed her on a cot and carried her for one km to reach the ambulance.
From there, the ambulance took her to Bhanjanagar hospital where she reportedly delivered twins. The health condition of both the babies and mother is stated to be stable now.
Condemning the incident, former MP Baijayant Panda tweeted, "A heartbreaking sight. Till when the people will have to bear the brunt of negligence by authorities? No roads, no ambulance, no basic healthcare facilities. Is this the Odisha of our dreams? Is this what Biju Babu envisioned?"
According to reports, one Urmala Mohanty of Nuadiha village was ailing with high fever following which her family members called up a 102 ambulance.
However, the ambulance stopped midway and couldn't reach the patient owing to lack of motorable roads to the hamlet.
With no other option, the family members of Urmala placed her in a cot and walked through the muddy and uneven road to reach the ambulance, informed sources.
Later she was taken in the ambulance and admitted to Telkoi hospital. However, she was then shifted to Keonjhar District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) after her condition deteriorated.
The woman, identified as the wife of Arjun Khara of Bidarpakhana village, developed labour pain yesterday evening. Though her family members tried to call an ambulance, they failed to contact it.
With no option, the family members of the woman and some villagers placed her in a cot and walked six kilometres to reach Badapoda panchayat. Later, the woman was shifted to Chitrakonda hospital in an ambulance of Border Security Force (BSF).
Though the woman delivered a baby boy, the newborn died soon after at the hospital.
Meanwhile, the woman has been shifted to Malkangiri District headquarters Hospital (DHH) after her condition deteriorated, sources said.
The benefits of such welfare schemes fail to reach beneficiaries on the ground which was again evident from three different incidents reported from Nabarangpur, Balasore and Malkangiri district today.
In the first instance, a woman delivered a baby boy midway to hospital after ambulance failed to reach her due to absence of motorable road at Bagbeda village under Jharigaon village in Nabarangpur district.
According to reports, wife of Lacchara Santa of Bagbeda, Hunda developed labour pain late last night.Though the family members called an ambulance, the vehicle could not reach the village owing to heavy rain and lack of proper road.
Having no other alternative, Hunda's family members with the help of some villagers carried her in a cot tied to a sling early today. However, she delivered a baby boy midway.
Later, Hunda and her baby were shifted to Jharigaon hospital in an ambulance and their condition is said to be stable now.
In another incident, Mina Singh, an expectant mother delivered a baby girl while she was being carried on a cot from Pokharisahi village in Balasore district to nearby hospital after ambulance failed to reach the village due to poor road conditions.
Mina experience labour pain in the morning following which her family members informed 102 ambulances but it failed to turn up due to non-motorable road in the area.
Mina later delivered another girl while she was being shifted to Remuna Community Health Centre (CHC) in the ambulance.
In Malkangiri, a pregnant woman of Soriaguda village under Chitrakonda had to walk five kilometres to reach hospital. Though the incident occurred on August 22, the matter came to light today after the woman's plight was narrated by the family members.
Though the woman's family members had called up 102 ambulance, it failed to reach the patient due to unavailability of proper road to the village.
Later, the woman was made to walk for 5 kilometres to reach Maliguda. After crossing a canal in boat, the woman was then shifted to Chitrakonda hospital where she delivered a baby boy, reports said.
According to reports, one Parbati Khila of the village developed labour pain in the morning. Though the family members had called 102 ambulance, it could not reach the village due to absence of motorable road.
With no other option, Parbati was then carried in a sling for three kilometres through the muddy and uneven path to reach Koyaguda from where she was then shifted to Korukonda Community Health Centre (CHC) in the same ambulance, sources said.
Meanwhile, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans came to the rescue of another pregnant woman who was writhing in labour pain at Kondagoan village of Chhattisgarh near Malkangiri border.
The ITBP jawans carried then carried the woman on a stretcher for seven kilometers and attended her in their camp on Friday
According to reports, the officials of 41st Battalion of ITBP were out for a combing operation in Harijanpur forest when they received the information about the woman's condition.
Due to such timely intervention, the woman then delivered a baby boy at the medical camp.
Sources said two minor girls of the village- Purnima Hembram and Rajani Hembram- drowned in a village pond. However, villagers thinking them to be alive had called a 108 ambulance. However, the ambulance did not turn up.
Irate over the incident, locals intercepted another 102 ambulance which was passing through the area carrying a pregnant woman and ransacked the vehicle. According to sources, the protesters thrashed the ambulance driver following which he fled the spot.
After being informed, police officials reached the spot and rescued the pregnant woman and admitted her to the hospital.
As per sources, Budhuni Munda, wife of Narendra Munda of Chakundapala village here complained of labour pain this evening following which she was rushed to Patana Community Health Centre (CHC).
After a preliminary treatment, the doctors at the CHC referred Budhuni to Karanjia sub-divisional hospital.
The incident occurred when the 102 ambulance in which she was being shifted to Karanjia hospital lost its balance and overturned near Tilabeda area.
Under such circumstances, Budhuni delivered a stillborn girl child in the ambulance and with the help of locals, she was immediately rushed to Karanjia hospital in a 108 ambulance from the accident spot.
While doctors at the hospital stated that Budhuni’s condition is critical, Saharapada outpost in-charge has reached the spot and initiated an investigation into the incident.
Also Read: Expectant Mother Carried On Cot, Delivers Baby Girl In Ambulance
Another similar incident was reported from Mantriput of remote Malkangiri district this morning, where a pregnant woman delivered a baby girl in the ambulance while she was being carried to hospital. The woman was initially carried on a cot for nearly eight kms as ambulance failed to reach her due to absence of motorable road in the village.
As per reports, Sabita complained of labour pain on Friday following which her family after consulting the Asha worker called a 108 ambulance. However, the vehicle had to be stationed at around one km from the village due to absence of motorable roads. With no other option, the Asha worker with the help of the ambulance staff and Sabita's family members carried her on a stretcher to the ambulance.
Just in a few minutes, Sabita delivered a baby boy inside the ambulance even before she had reached hospital.
Later, both Sabita and her child were shifted to Daspalla hospital while their condition is stated to be normal.
Going by the deteriorating healthcare services in the State, it seems the Odisha government has failed miserably to provide even basic medical facilities to the people in the interior areas. Making things worse for the people are the bad roads connecting these villages.
As per reports, the family members of the woman called an ambulance after she experienced labour pain. As the ambulance could not reach the patient due to lack of motorable road, the family members decided to carry her down the hills on a cot.
After covering a distance of nearly 2 kms, the woman delivered a girl child on the foothills. With no other option to shift the woman to the hospital, her family members again took her back to their house located on the top of the hill.
The condition of both the woman and her baby is said to be normal.
Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Jyotsnarani Patnaik, on the other hand, said a detailed inquiry will be conducted to ascertain when the call went and why the ambulance could not reach the patient.
“Appropriate action will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” said Patnaik.
According to sources, one Chittaranjan Munda admitted his wife to Bangiriposhi hospital after she complained of labour pain last night. But as her health condition became critical, the doctors at the hospital advised her family members to shift her to Baripada hospital.
After coming to know that the 108 ambulance they called for would be delayed, Chittaranjan shifted his wife on another medical ambulance available at the hospital.
Unfortunately, the ambulance ran out of fuel midway and since there were no refuelling stations nearby, the pregnant woman and her family members had to wait for help for at least an hour. Later, even though a 108 ambulance did pick them up and the woman was admitted to Baripada hospital, the doctors declared her brought-dead.
“The ambulance driver should have been aware about the status of fuel in the vehicle. I hope that people don’t suffer like I have,” said a crestfallen, Chittaranjan.
Asked about the incident, Mayurbhanj CDMO Pramod Mohapatra accepted that the ambulance carrying the expectant mother ran out of fuel. He assured that the matter will be probed and also clarified that "The vehicle had enough fuel, but it ran out due to a leakage.”
Though the health condition of mother is stated to be stable, the newborn allegedly succumbed because of delay in treatment.
The incident took place on Wednesday near the new bus stand, some two kilometres away from Nabarangpur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH).
As per reports, the woman was on her way to home when she complained of labour pain. Seeing the woman in pain, some locals present at the spot called ambulance.
However, the woman had to deliver on the roadside as the ambulance did not reach on time. Subsequently, the woman and her baby boy were admitted to the Nabarangpur DHH where the newborn died.
Earlier on Wednesday, a team of the State government officials led by Secretary of Transformation and Initiatives (5T), VK Pandian visited District Headquarter Hospitals in Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri to take stock of the ground realities.
The woman, a resident of Ambapadar village under Dasamantpur block in the district, went into labour yesterday following which her family members called an ambulance to take her to hospital.
However, the ambulance could not reach the village due to the absence of a motorable road and had to station at Mandra village chhak.
With no other option, the family members of the woman tied a chair to a sling and carried her for around four kilometres to reach the ambulance.
Subsequently, she was rushed to Dasamantpur Hospital where she delivered a baby boy. Condition of both the mother and the child is reportedly stable.
Earlier on November 17, an expectant mother of Kandiguda village in Malkangiri district was also carried on a stretcher for at least four kilometres after an ambulance failed to reach the village due to lack of motorable road.
A six-month pregnant woman of Hatituku village reportedly sustained burn injuries while cooking this morning. She was rescued by her family members who also called the 102 ambulance services to take her to the nearby hospital for treatment.
The ambulance, however, was unable to reach Hatituku village due to lack of motorable roads following which the woman’s family members carried her on a cot for 2 kms. She was then taken to the hospital for treatment by an ambulance.
Locals alleged that the concerned officials are yet to pay heed to their longstanding demands for a motorable road to the village.
According to reports, the infant was referred by Berhampur MKCG hospital doctors to Cuttack hospital at around 11 AM today. However, father of the infant alleged that while the baby was being shifted to Cuttack, the ambulance driver sought Rs 200 for the journey.
“First the staff and driver demanded money for food. Later, they left us near Ganjam after we failed to pay the money,” alleged the father of the infant.
A group of locals then arranged another ambulance and rushed the baby back to MKCG hospital in Berhampur.
Meanwhile, the concerned driver of the 108 ambulance has reportedly been suspended after the matter came to light later in the day, informed the district Collector.