Expectant mother carried on stretcher for 4kms

Nuapada: Once again making a mockery of healthcare system in the rural areas, a pregnant woman was carried on a stretcher for four kms in Kaparapada village under Kirikita Panchayat here as ambulance couldn’t reach her due to absence of motorable road.

According to sources, Punita Majhi, wife of Ukalu Majhi of the village, complained of labour pain on Friday following which her family members called for an ambulance. However, the vehicle could not turn up due to absence of motorable road to the village located up the mountains.

Punita's family then brought the stretcher from the ambulance stationed down the mountains and with the help of ambulance staff carried her on it by tying it to a bamboo pole to reach the junction.

Punita was rushed to Khariar Hospital and later shifted to Nuapada Hospital after her condition deteriorated.