Phulbani: A woman was forced to deliver under a tree after she failed to reach the local hospital on time due to pathetic road conditions. The incident happened in Salaguda panchayat under Phiringia block in Kandhamal district Friday.
According to sources, Pranta Kanhar, wife of Beema Kanhar of Tundura village, experienced labour pain while celebrating Savitri. Family members approached the local Asha worker and pleaded for an ambulance. The Asha worker tried to contact the local medical authorities for an ambulance but in vain.
Availing no option, Beema took a motorbike and tried to bring his wife to the local hospital with the help of his elderly mother. However, they failed to reach the hospital on time due to lack of road connectivity. Later, he left his mother and his wife under a tree after her labour pain increased. Leaving them behind, he sped to the local hospital and brought a nurse with him to help in the delivery.
With the help of the nurse, Pranta delivered a baby boy under the tree. Later, Beema again brought the woman and her child to the local hospital from where they were referred to Phulbani district headquarters hospital after the baby’s health condition deteriorated.
Locals expressed displeasure after they learnt that there was no Asha worker to help the woman deliver her baby. Beema complained that the local Asha worker turned them away giving excuses of Savitri Brata.
When contacted, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Sapneswar Gadnayak said he would order a probe into the Asha worker’s negligence and take appropriate steps. PNN
