A pregnant woman in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district was reportedly forced to travel nearly 8 kilometres in a makeshift stretcher before reaching an ambulance, after the lack of a motorable road prevented emergency medical services from reaching her hamlet. The unborn baby later died, while the woman remains hospitalised in serious condition.
The incident was reported from Chitipatha Jamundong hamlet in Junnardeo block on Thursday. According to family members and local residents, Sonu Malgam’s wife Kustariya developed labour pain in the morning. However, the 108 ambulance could not reach the settlement because of the absence of a proper road.
Woman Carried 8 Km
With the situation becoming urgent, the sarpanch, family members and villagers reportedly arranged a makeshift stretcher using wooden poles and cloth. The pregnant woman was placed on it and carried on foot through the difficult terrain.
The group travelled approximately 8 kilometres before reaching Gop village, where an ambulance could finally be accessed. She was taken by the 108 ambulance to the Damua health centre.
Doctors at the health facility reportedly assessed her condition as serious and referred her to the district hospital for further treatment.
Baby's Death Confirmed
According to the family, the woman had to travel a considerable distance over difficult terrain before receiving medical attention. After examination at the hospital, doctors confirmed that the unborn baby had died.
The woman’s condition was described as serious and she was admitted to the ICU. Her treatment is currently underway.
The incident has once again raised questions about emergency healthcare access in remote parts of the district, particularly for pregnant women who require immediate medical attention.
125 Families in Hamlet
Local residents said around 125 families live in the Chitipatha Jamundong hamlet. They claimed that the settlement still lacks a proper all-weather road and faces difficulties accessing several basic facilities.
Villagers said they have been requesting a road since 2016 and have repeatedly approached elected representatives and government officials with their demand. Despite these efforts, they claimed that a motorable road has not yet been constructed.
The lack of road connectivity has reportedly made transportation particularly difficult during medical emergencies and the monsoon season.
Villagers Raise Health Concerns
Residents alleged that the absence of road connectivity has previously resulted in serious difficulties for people requiring urgent medical care. They claimed that three pregnant women had died earlier after allegedly failing to receive timely medical assistance.
These claims could not be independently verified from the information available.
The latest incident has prompted villagers to again demand construction of a permanent road connecting the hamlet with the main road network. They have also sought arrangements to ensure that ambulances can reach the settlement during emergencies.
Road Connectivity Under Question
The incident highlights the importance of last-mile connectivity in remote rural areas. While emergency ambulance services can provide transportation to hospitals, their effectiveness is limited when vehicles cannot reach the location of the patient.
For pregnant women and other patients requiring urgent treatment, even a delay of several hours can have serious consequences.
The local administration’s response to the villagers’ allegations and the status of any proposed road project will be important in determining what action is taken following the incident.
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