Suryakant Jena

Mayurbhanj: Call it irresponsibility or unpreparedness of the medical authorities, a pregnant woman lost her life while she was on her way to the hospital after the ambulance she was in ran out of fuel midway.

According to sources, one Chittaranjan Munda admitted his wife to Bangiriposhi hospital after she complained of labour pain last night. But as her health condition became critical, the doctors at the hospital advised her family members to shift her to Baripada hospital.

After coming to know that the 108 ambulance they called for would be delayed, Chittaranjan shifted his wife on another medical ambulance available at the hospital.

Unfortunately, the ambulance ran out of fuel midway and since there were no refuelling stations nearby, the pregnant woman and her family members had to wait for help for at least an hour. Later, even though a 108 ambulance did pick them up and the woman was admitted to Baripada hospital, the doctors declared her brought-dead.

“The ambulance driver should have been aware about the status of fuel in the vehicle. I hope that people don’t suffer like I have,” said a crestfallen, Chittaranjan.

Asked about the incident, Mayurbhanj CDMO Pramod Mohapatra accepted that the ambulance carrying the expectant mother ran out of fuel. He assured that the matter will be probed and also clarified that "The vehicle had enough fuel, but it ran out due to a leakage.”

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