Krushnaprasad: Even as the state government bankrolls several schemes aimed at ensuring safe delivery, many are being deprived of this thanks to negligence by people engaged for delivering healthcare services.
In a recent case, an 108 ambulance reportedly dumped an ailing minor on way to hospital even though the patient was in critical condition that led to his death. This happened at Tubuka Harijan Sahi of Gumundia village under this block in Puri district.
Family members called the ambulance after Rudra Nayak (4), son of Harihar Nayak’ was taken ill Friday night. The ambulance staff demanded `3,000 mid-way and dumped Rudra after Harihar expressed inability to pay the amount. Helpless, Harihar carried Rudra on his shoulders and walked to hospital.
However, the boy died on way forcing Harihar to walk 30 km back to the village with the boy’s body on his shoulders.
The incident sparked tension in the village after Harihar reached home with the body. Furious, locals held demonstrations citing negligence and irresponsibility by ambulance staff. Hundreds of vehicles were halted on both sides of the road for hours causing traffic jam and disrupting normal lives.
Tehsil officials reached the spot and brought the situation under control. `10,000 was assured from the Red Cross fund. However, the protesters refused to call off the stir and demanded `10 lakh compensation for the deceased’s kin.
A written complaint was lodged in Krushnaprasad police station. IIC Jaydeep Mohanty with a police team reached the spot and tried to pacify the demonstrators.
Meanwhile, ambulance pharmacist Kailash Chandra Pradhan refuted the allegations claiming the child died of fits. He said the boy’s family insisted that he took the boy back to the village after he died on his way to Chhatrapur sub-divisional hospital. ‘I dumped the body after calling the control room and took the permission and signature of the deceased’s parents,’ Pradhan added.
Later, the agitators relented after `10,000 was provided from the Red Cross fund and more compensation was assured from the Chief Minister’s Fund. PNN