PALAKKAD: A 20-year-old who gave birth to a baby boy en route to a hospital, and a team of health department officials, who got stuck between a wild elephant and wild buffaloes, had a miraculous escape on Christmas morning in Nelliyampathy.
According to health officials, Samba, wife of Sujay Sardar, a migrant worker living in Seetharkundu in Nelliyampathy, was on their way to the Nelliyampathy Primary Health Centre on Tuesday late night after she experienced labour pain. En route, the couple informed about the woman’s condition to Sudina Surendran, the junior public health nurse at the health centre.
The nurse advised the couple to reach the Nelliyampathy Primary Health Centre immediately and contacted Dr Lakshmi, the medical officer and gynaecologist, over the phone. As per the doctor’s instructions, Sudina and nursing assistant Janaki made arrangements for the delivery at the hospital.
As 108 services were not available at midnight, Samba and her husband, with the help of Poabs Estate Dispensary pharmacist Mithlaj and driver Sabu, set off for the hospital in a Poabs Estate jeep. However, before reaching the hospital during the difficult journey, the woman gave birth to a baby boy in the jeep itself at midnight. After reaching the Kaikatty Health Centre safely, Sudina and Janaki cut the umbilical cord of the baby, as per the instructions of Dr Lakshmi.
Upon examination, it was found that the woman’s health condition was poor and as she could not be moved from the jeep, the authorities decided to shift her to the Nenmara Community Health Centre.
According to health officials, Sudina and Janaki left Kaikatty with Samba in the jeep. “Within minutes, the jeep was blocked by a wild tusker and it became impossible for the party to proceed further. Immediately, Nelliyampathy health inspector Joyson contacted deputy forest range officer Jayendran and then the forest officials arrived at the spot.
Meanwhile, the health inspector had informed the Patagiri police station authorities. The wild elephant stood firm on the road for about two hours right in front of the jeep. When they tried to reverse the jeep, they noticed a huge herd of wild buffaloes stationed in the rear side of the vehicle.
During this time, the doctor gave instructions over the phone. With the help of forest officials, the party waited until the elephant left. The mother and the baby could be shifted to CHC Nemmara only after the elephant went back to the forest after a long time.
The duty doctor at Nemmara CHC received the mother and the baby and provided necessary care. Both were later referred to the Women and Children’s Hospital Palakkad for specialist examination and care. Hospital authorities said that both the mother and the baby are doing well.