Ambulance Driver Abandons Pregnant Woman Over Non-payment of Fare in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: An ambulance driver reportedly abandoned a pregnant woman over non-payment of ‘advance fare’ in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. The incident, which took place on October 31, came to the fore on Thursday after a video went viral on social media.
The cruel behavior of the driver sparked rage among locals. They raised 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 9 pm in the night after which her husband informed health workers near them and arrangement was made for the ambulance. The vehicle reached on time and Jamuna was accompanied by her husband and a female relative. A lady health worker 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 health 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 health worker and her family rushed her to PRM Medical College and Hospital in a hired auto.
“My wife started having labour pains at around 9 pm and we sought help from a lady health worker. The ambulance reached and initially he agreed to take all four of us – my wife, me, another relative and the health worker. However, half-way through, he started demanding fare and said four people were not allowed to travel in the vehicle. When the health worker tried to reason 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, said Mochiram Soren, Jamuna’s husband.
The health workers approached the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) 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.
The hospital authorities have reportedly sought an explanation from the ambulance driver.
