Whither Janani Suraksha: Expectant mother carried on cot again!

Nabarangpur: In yet another glaring example of poor healthcare services in the rural areas, a pregnant woman was carried by the family members on cot for three kilometers here on Friday as ambulance failed to show up even after repeated calls.

The incident occurred in Bharuamunda village of Chakalapadara Panchayat under Jharigaon block when Shanti, wife of Dushmant Majhi of the village, complained of labour pain.

According to sources, Dushmant had called up ambulance service, but due to poor road connectivity the ambulance did not turn up. With no other option left, the family was forced to carry Shanti on a cot for nearly three kilometers up to Haladigundi Chhak.

From there, she was taken in an auto rickshaw to Ichapur Primary Health Centre where she reportedly delivered a baby boy. The condition of both mother and son was said to be out of danger.

This is not for the first time that expectant mothers had to bear the brunt of the negligence on part of authorities in-charge of medical services particularly in the rural areas of the State.

Few days back, a woman from Kalasada village in Nabarangpur district, Sulochana Saanta, gave birth to a baby on the roads while she was being carried to hospital on a cot after failing to avail ambulance services.

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