Bamra: Safe motherhood programme has turned into a farce in Sambalpur district as a pregnant woman was pushed into the jaws of death due to alleged negligence and highhandedness of an ambulance driver in this block late Tuesday night.
The deceased was identified as Gomati Bagh (28), wife of Rajendra Bagh, of Charmal village under Keshaibahal panchayat.
She died after the ambulance driver instead of taking her to VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Burla drove the vehicle for six hours and a distance of 250 km throughout the night. An ASHA, who was to accompany the woman, refused to go with her citing work at home.
Sources said Gomati visited the Keshabahal hospital and returned home after a check-up Tuesday morning. She experienced labour pain at night following which her family members rushed her to the same hospital at 10 pm. Dr Sarat Chandra Nayak conducted a check-up and referred the case to VIMSAR.
The family members tried to call the 102-Janani Express but the driver refused to shift the woman citing various reasons. Left with no option, the family members hired a four-wheeler and took her to Kuchinda sub-divisional hospital.
There also her family members were disappointed as they didn’t get an ambulance despite availability of Janani Express. She was shifted to Burla half an hour later after her family members managed to get an ambulance from nearby Kuntara community health centre.
She delivered a girl child inside the ambulance at 11.44 pm. The ambulance driver then instead of taking her to Burla turned back the vehicle even as Burla was just 20 km away from the place.
The driver took her to Kuntara hospital instead of Kuchinda hospital, the family members alleged. On arrival, a doctor again shifted her to Burla.
Meanwhile, her condition had deteriorated for which they stopped by Kolabira hospital for a check-up. However, it was too late as a doctor pronounced her brought dead. Left with no option, the family members returned home with the body while the newborn was admitted to Keshaibhal hospital.
Medical officer (in-charge) Sarat Chandra Nayak of Keshaibahal hospital admitted that the woman died due to negligence and highhandedness of the ambulance driver.
SDMO Kuchinada, Deepak Nath confirmed the development stating he will conduct a probe into the allegations. Villagers also held the ambulance driver responsible for her death. PNN
