Pregnant Woman Carried on Bamboo Stretcher in Odisha’s Kalahandi After Ambulance Fails to Reach Village

Bhawanipatna: A pregnant woman in Odisha’s Kalahandi district had to be carried on a bamboo stretcher for nearly two kilometres after an ambulance was unable to access her village due to a severely damaged and muddy road, exposing the lack of basic infrastructure in the remote area.

The incident took place in Ghutiguda village under Thuamul Rampur police limits. According to local sources, Ranjita Majhi developed labour pain on Friday night, following which her family contacted the Janani Express ambulance service for immediate medical assistance.

Although the ambulance was dispatched, it could not reach the village as the road leading to Ghutiguda had become impassable because of continuous rainfall. After waiting for some time, the ambulance reportedly had to return without picking up the patient.

With no alternative available, the family arranged an auto-rickshaw at their own cost on Saturday morning. Villagers then improvised a bamboo stretcher and carried the expectant mother for around two kilometres through the muddy stretch until they reached a motorable road. She was subsequently shifted to the Thuamul Rampur Community Health Centre in the auto-rickshaw.

The incident has once again highlighted the poor road connectivity in the region. Residents alleged that despite repeatedly urging the authorities to construct an all-weather road, their demands have remained unaddressed.

Villagers have renewed their appeal to the district administration, seeking immediate intervention to build a proper road so that ambulances and other emergency services can reach the village without delay, particularly during medical emergencies.