There was a half-an-hour delay in taking a newborn with a breathing problem to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai after the keys of a 108 ambulance, meant to transport the baby, went missing, here on Friday.
The ambulance had brought a baby girl to the Virudhunagar GH from where another newborn was being taken to Madurai when the delay occurred. Karthigaiselvi of Kallikudi had given birth to a girl at Primary Health Care Centre at Kallikudi on Friday and the baby was referred to Virudhunagar Government Hospital for further treatment. A 108 ambulance was called and driver Ramanathan with technician Alagar took the child to the hospital.
On reaching the GH, Ramanathan reportedly left the keys of the ambulance in the vehicle. At the same facility, Mariswari of Mallanginaru had given birth to a boy and he was referred to GRH by doctors of Virudhunagar GH due to breathing difficulties. While documents were being prepared to shift the infant, the driver realised his keys were missing.
Nearly half-an-hour lapsed between the time the newborn was ready to be transported and an ambulance was prepared to take the child to the GRH. Fortunately, the newborn was taken safely to Madurai and is being treated at the hospital.
The keys were finally found in the dashboard of the vehicle.