Villagers Protest ‘Ambulance Delay’ As Patient Dies In Kendrapara

Kendrapada: Tension prevailed at Lunimathia village under Mahakalpada block in Kendrapara district on Saturday after a patient died due to alleged delay in arrival of ‘108’ ambulance.

The villagers placed the body in front of the ambulance when it reached the village this morning and staged a protest.

The deceased has been identified as Nakhia Mallick.

According to the sources, Nakhia was suffering from tuberculosis. His condition deteriorated on Friday, following which he was taken to Ramnagar Primary Health Centre. The doctor then referred him to Kendrapara district headquarters hospital.

To shift him to Kendrapada, his family members claimed that they dialed for 108 ambulance service last night.

Nakhia later died and the villager blamed it on late arrival of the ambulance and lack of treatment.

On the hand, the ambulance staff denied the allegation. A pharmacist of 108 ambulance, Bikarm Bisoi, said that they had received a call at 7.18 am and not 2 am as the family claims. “We started at 7.20 am and reached the village at 8.20 am, covering around 35 km away from Babar. Now, the villagers are blaming us for arriving late,” he said.

Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has demanded compensation.