Patient's death due to ambulance delay triggers tension in Kendrapara

Kendrapara: Tension ran high in Sabar Sahi at Lunimathia village under Mahakalpada block in the district after a patient died as ambulance allegedly reached the spot late.

According to reports, Nakhia Mallik had received critical injuries in a mishap yesterday and rushed to a nearby hospital by his family members. The doctors advised the family to shift Mallik to Kendrapara District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) or SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack after his condition deteriorated.

The family members took Mallik back to the village and called 108 Ambulance to shift him to Kendrapara District Headquarters Hospital.

The villagers alleged that despite contacting the ambulance services repeatedly, the concerned authorities only gave them assurances. In the meantime, the health condition of Mallik worsened and he later died at around 4 am today.

When the ambulance reached Lunimathia at around 8 am, villagers staged a demonstration by placing the body of Mallik in front of the ambulance and detained three of its staff. The villagers demanded compensation for the kin of the deceased, reports said.

Meanwhile, the authorities of 108 ambulance service could not be contacted over the allegations.