Contrary to the state government’s big claims on revamped healthcare, a heart-wrenching incident was reported from a remote area of Rayagada district on Tuesday.
An expectant mother was reportedly carried on a sling borne by her relatives and ambulance staff for about three kms on the way to a hospital due to a lack of motorable roads to Baghamari village under Lakhmipur block.
As per reports, after Abhi Mandigan’s wife Kandhai Mandigan went into labor, he sought the 108 ambulance service to carry her to Laxmipur Community Health Centre (CHC), 25 km from the village.
However, the village remained inaccessible to the ambulance in the absence of a proper road and a bridge across a creek. Abhi’s family was worried and helpless in this situation.
On the other hand, while waiting for the ambulance for hours, the woman delivered a baby. In view of the need for immediate medical intervention for the woman, ambulance staff Binod Halba and Gupteswar Bagarti lost no time and carried the woman in a sling across the river by negotiating a makeshift bridge.
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The ambulance, which was parked across the river, took the woman to the nearby CHC, sources said. However, the newborn failed to make it and was pronounced dead on arrival at Laxmipur hospital.
No comments have been received from the concerned authorities.