RAYAGADA: A Pregnant woman delivered inside an autorickshaw as the 102 ambulance failed to turn up in Rayagada district on Saturday. Paanala Praska of Tikarpada village under Sunakhandi gram panchayat in Kalyansinghpur block went into labour in the morning. Her family members informed the local ASHA worker Sabitri Garadia, who called up the 102 ambulance service.
Sabitri was told that the ambulance has been diverted to Kolnara block. Finding no other way out, the ASHA worker and Paanala’s family members decided to shift her to the Kalyansinghpur CHC in an autorickshaw. However, the woman delivered a baby boy near Sitapurtota in the autorickshaw. The mother and her newborn were brought to the CHC in the vehicle but with their condition being critical, they have been referred to District Headquarters Hospital in Rayagada town.
Kalyansinghpur CHC in-charge Laxmikanta Sahu said Paanala was in her eighth month of pregnancy and delivered a premature child weighing 1.7 kgs. On the other hand, authorities of 102 ambulance service denied of receiving any call from the ASHA worker of the woman’s family members.