An expectant mother was forced to deliver her baby on the roadside in Odisha’s Rayagada district due to the non-availability of an ambulance on Sunday.
The family members of the woman, Golapi Hikaka, called up the 102 Ambulance, which is available under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) after she began having labour pains. However, no ambulance turned up even though they waited for hours, said a family member.
With no other option available, Golapi was walked to Kalyansinghpur Community Health Centre (CHC). But she delivered midway.
S.P. Padhy, Rayagada Chief District Medical Officer, said the woman had delivered the baby when the ambulance reached the spot and an ASHA worker was present with the woman.
“Both mother and child are stable. We are taking care of them. They will stay at the hospital for 48 hours as per the norms,” said Padhy.