Bhawanipatna, Jun 13: A pregnant woman from a remote village in Odisha's Kalahandi district had to be carried on a cot for nearly two kilometres after an ambulance failed to reach her village due to the absence of a motorable road, a source said Saturday.

The incident was reported from Lekamagan, a remote habitation located inside the Sahajkhol Reserve Forest under Ampani panchayat in Koksara block, near the Kalahandi-Nabarangpur district border.

Ambulance Stopped Two Kilometres Away
According to the source, Dura Santa (35), wife of Sambaru Santa, went into labour, following which her family contacted the 108 ambulance service for medical assistance.

An ambulance from Maidalpur Community Health Centre in neighbouring Nabarangpur district rushed to the area. However, the vehicle could not reach the village because of the lack of a proper road and had to stop near Maliamba village, around two kilometres away from the patient's home.

Ambulance Staff Join Rescue Effort
With no other option available, ambulance driver Dambaru Harijan walked to the village and joined family members in transporting the woman, the source added.


Using a cot as a makeshift stretcher, they carried the expectant mother through the difficult forest route for nearly two kilometres before reaching the waiting ambulance.

The woman was then shifted to Maidalpur CHC for treatment.

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Mother Gives Birth To Baby Girl
Doctors at the health centre later conducted the delivery, and the woman gave birth to a baby girl.

Hospital sources said both the mother and the newborn are healthy and under observation.

Lack Of Road Connectivity Under Spotlight
The incident has once again highlighted the challenges faced by residents of remote villages situated in forested and inaccessible regions, where the absence of all-weather roads often delays access to emergency healthcare services.

At the same time, the humanitarian effort displayed by the ambulance staff drew appreciation from locals, who said the timely intervention helped ensure the safe delivery of the child despite difficult circumstances.

Human Touch Amid Hardship
Residents said the actions of the ambulance crew reflected dedication beyond duty and served as an example of how frontline healthcare workers often bridge infrastructure gaps to reach people living in some of the state's most isolated areas.