Questions have been raised over the functioning of the 108 emergency ambulance service in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri after a pregnant woman in labour was allegedly left on National Highway 27 when the ambulance taking her to hospital broke down for the second time.According to the complaint and the account reported by local officials, the woman was travelling from Khod to Shivpuri District Hospital when the ambulance developed a technical problem. After the vehicle stopped again in the Survaya police station area, the woman and her family were allegedly left by the roadside.The incident reportedly occurred late Friday night. The woman remained on the highway for around half an hour before a passing motorist stopped and offered help. He took her to the district hospital in his car.

Woman was referred from Khod health centre

The woman has been identified as 20-year-old Khushboo Lodhi, a resident of Buranpur village in the Khod outpost area. She was experiencing labour pain on Friday evening and was taken by her family to the Primary Health Centre in Khod.As the health centre did not have the required facilities and specialist care for the delivery, doctors referred her to Shivpuri District Hospital. A 108 ambulance was subsequently called to transport her to the district hospital.The journey initially began normally, but the ambulance reportedly developed a technical fault after travelling some distance. The vehicle was restarted, but it broke down again while travelling on NH-27.

Ambulance allegedly stopped on highway

The second breakdown occurred in the Survaya police station area, according to the report. The family has alleged that the driver did not arrange another ambulance or an alternative vehicle and instead left the woman and her relatives on the highway.The woman was reportedly still in labour at the time. With traffic moving along the highway at night, the family remained on the roadside waiting for assistance.A motorist passing through the area eventually stopped and transported the woman to Shivpuri District Hospital in his car.

Health department orders inquiry

The incident has prompted the health department to initiate an inquiry. Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Sanjay Rishveshwar said the matter had come to his notice and that the conduct of the ambulance driver and the circumstances surrounding the incident were being examined.He said appropriate action would be taken if negligence is established during the inquiry.The case is particularly significant because 108 ambulance services are intended to provide emergency transportation, including for critical pregnant women. The Shivpuri District Hospital is the designated government hospital in the district for such cases.

Not the first ambulance-related concern in Shivpuri

The latest incident has also brought renewed attention to complaints concerning emergency ambulance services in Shivpuri. A local report published earlier this month referred to other cases involving alleged delays in transporting pregnant women, although those incidents are separate from the present case and should not be treated as proof of a systemic failure without an official assessment.For now, the immediate question before the health authorities is whether the ambulance driver failed to follow the required emergency response procedure after the vehicle broke down.The department's inquiry will determine whether the allegations of negligence are substantiated and whether action is warranted against the driver or the agency responsible for operating the ambulance.