RAYAGADA: February 17: A pregnant woman Tara Mandangi (20) of Kishari village under Kolnara block in the district hired a private vehicle when the 108 and 102 ambulance did not turn up to shift her to a hospital even after a five- hour wait. In acute labour pain, she managed to reach the nearest hospital and deliver a healthy child.
February 25: Aalme Hikaka (32) of Tentulipadar village under Kalyansingpur block in the district was not fortunate enough. She and her unborn died after failing to get help from ambulance service. Hikaka was taken to Kalyansinghpur Community Health Centre (CHC), about 10 km from the village, on a cot by her husband Salupu Hikaka and a relative. At the CHC, the doctors referred her to District Headquarters Hospital (DHH). Here, they had to wait for two hours for an ambulance and she died on her way to DHH on February 25.
On March 13, Mammy Kausalya (21), who was into labour, too failed to get ambulance help even after contacting them. She too was shifted to Kalyansinghpur CHC on a cot by her husband and relatives. She delivered a baby boy in the CHC but the family alleged ill-treatment by the hospital staff.
The above cases are just the tip of the iceberg in Rayagada district where ambulance services have failed to reach the patients.
The interior areas of tribal-dominated Rayagada district, which has a population of around 10 lakh, are deprived of basic healthcare facilities. The blocks of Chandrapur, Kashipur and Gudari present a gloomy picture in terms of communication links.
Besides absence of road communication and healthcare, lack of telecommunication facility has added to the woes of the villagers. Chandrapur block does not have 108 and 102 service.
The technical process to avail the service and language spoken by control room staff are other major hindrances for the tribals in availing the services, said Cluster Leader Balakrushna Rath of 108 in Rayagada district. Of the 10 ambulances, only eight 108 are running in the district.
Cluster Leader of 102 vehicles Santosh Panda said with the allotted 11 vehicles it is difficult to cater to the needs of people who are living in the hilly and difficult terrains, that form a major part of Rayagada district.