Sans motorable road, pregnant woman carried on cot!

Koraput: Absence of motorable road and lack of bridges across rivers in remote areas of Odisha continue to affect people depriving them of timely healthcare services in the State. Yet another incident of a pregnant woman being carried on cot was reported from Koraput district.

According to reports, Subai Nirikiyanka of Karikon village under Narayanpatna block in the district underwent labour pain following which her family members decided to take her to Narayanpatna community health centre (CHC).

Though the family members called an ambulance, it stopped some 3kms away from the village due to absence of motorable road . As Subai's condition continued to deteriorate, her family members with the help of some villagers carried the woman on a cot and walked for 2kms and then crossed the river to reach the ambulance.

"There is no motorable road to five villages in the block. Though this problem has been existing for years, nothing has been done in this regard," said Subai's relative Kundariya Trinath.

"We have to cross the river to reach the other side. During rainy season, life becomes very difficult because of lack of adequate transport accessibility," said Revati Kundariya, another relative of Subai.

Responding to the matter Rudra Prasad Bagh, Medical Officer of Narayanpatna CHC said, "After being informed, we immediately sent the ambulance to the village. Due to poor road condition the woman was carried on a cot and later brought to the health centre in the ambulance. Currently her condition is stated to be stable."