At a time when the Odisha government is claiming that health services are being provided at the doorstep, incidents of expectant mothers not getting 108 ambulance or Janai Express and giving birth on the roadside and trolley rickshaws are occurring frequently.
A similar incident was reported from Nilagiri area in Balasore district on Sunday.
According to sources, Ranjita, wife of Hemanta Kuanr of Dahi Sahi of Sajanagarh panchayat, had visited her parents’ house at Ranikotha village under Nilagiri NAC for Raksha Bandhan festival. At around 8 pm on Sunday night, she complained of labour.
Her family members immediately contacted 108 ambulance. They waited for some time but it did not arrive, they alleged. With no option left, the family members made her sleep on a trolley rickshaw and pulled it up to the medical.
However, on their way to the hospital, Ranjita gave birth to a baby girl on the trolley rickshaw itself. It was learnt that Ranjita and her baby were later admitted to Nilagiri government hospital.
“When she (Ranjita) complained of labour, we dialled 108 but the driver said it would take some time for him to reach our village. As she was in severe labour, we didn’t want to take risk and brought her to the hospital on a trolley rickshaw. On the way, she gave birth to a baby girl on the trolley rickshaw itself,” said Jyoti Gochhayat, Ranjita’s relative.
When asked why Ranjita couldn’t avail of the free ambulance facility, Sub Divisional Medical Officer (SDMO) Sarojini Pradhan said, “The ambulance driver might have gone somewhere to pick up any patient. The reason why he failed to attend her can be ascertained only after an enquiry.”