Ambulance driver abandons pregnant woman over non-payment of fare in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj

Baripada: In a blatant display of inhumane and cruel behaviour, an ambulance driver reportedly abandoned a pregnant woman over non-payment of fare in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.

The incident, which took place on October 31st, recently came to the fore after a video went viral on social media and has sparked rage among locals while raising serious questions on the efficacy of the government’s tall claims to accessible healthcare in remote areas.

As per reports, Jamuna Soren of Kundu Sahi in Baripada block developed labour pain at 9pm in the night after which her husband informed ASHA workers near them and arrangement was made for the 108 ambulance. The vehicle reached on time and Jamuna was accompanied by her husband and a female relative. One of the ASHA workers too went along but the driver, after travelling some distance, began demanding fare on grounds that four persons cannot be allowed in the vehicle and there will be charges for any extra member. As the ASHA worker had been active in the area for a long time and was well-versed with the rules and guidelines, she argued that there is no such rule for any extra charge as it was a government ambulance.

As the argument broke out and got uglier, the driver stopped the vehicle and asked them to get down in the middle of the road at around 10 pm. Not just that, he allegedly stood and watched the woman suffer in labor pain until the ASHA worker and her family rushed her to PRM Medical College and Hospital in a hired auto. “My wife started having labour pain at around 9 pm and we sought help from an ASHA worker. The ambulance reached and initially he agreed to take all four of us – my wife, me, another relative and the ASHA worker. However, half-way through, he started demanding fare and said four people were not allowed to travel in the vehicle. When the ASHA didi argued with him, he stopped the vehicle abruptly and asked us to get down in the middle of the road. As my wife was critical, we hired an auto and rushed her to the hospital. Why should we pay ambulance fare when the government is already paying for the service and has facilitated this provision for us??, said Mochiram Soren, Jamuna’s husband.

Meanwhile, after admitting the woman, the ASHA workers approached the chief district medical officer and submitted a complaint, expressing their anger and demanding strict action against the accused driver.

Hospital sources informed the woman delivered a baby girl on Wednesday night and is currently stable.