[Watch] Pregnant Woman Carried On Cot For 5 Km To Ambulance in Odisha’s Malkangiri

Malkangiri: Unmotorable roads in remote areas of the district continue to deprive the tribals of basic health services with the latest case of a pregnant woman being taken on a cot to an ambulance being reported from Chitrakonda area.

According to sources, Jema Khila of Kuniguda village under Chitrakonda block complained of labour pain on Monday. Her family members called up 102 ambulance to carry her to the hospital.

Though the ambulance came to the area, its driver stopped the vehicle 5 km from Kuniguda as the road had become muddy and slippery due to rain. With no other option left, Jema’s family members and some villagers carried her on a cot all the way to the ambulance which took her safely to the Chitrakonda Hospital.

“Such incidents have been a regular affair in the village. Whenever we raise the issue, the political leaders assure of construction of a pucca road. But it is yet to materialise till date,” said a villager.

It may be noted that in a similar incident in June, a patient in need of emergency care had to be taken 3 km on a stretcher to an ambulance before being shifted to an hospital in Swabhiman Anchal area of Malkangiri district.