Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh – In a heartbreaking incident, a woman in Sidhi district was compelled to deliver her baby on a handcart after a delayed ambulance response. Tragically, upon reaching the hospital, medical officials confirmed that the newborn had passed away, prompting immediate action and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Incident

Urmila Rajak, a resident of a remote area in Sidhi, went into labor late Friday night. With no ambulance in sight despite repeated calls, her family resorted to transporting her on a handcart, navigating narrow lanes in a desperate attempt to reach the main road. Urmila delivered en route, but upon arrival at the hospital, doctors declared the baby deceased. Hospital officials revealed that the newborn had likely passed away approximately 24 hours before, but the circumstances surrounding the delivery remain deeply troubling for the family and local community.

Ambulance Delay and Health Department Response

Civil Surgeon Deeprani Israni explained that the ambulance arrived 25 minutes after the family contacted the centralized emergency call center, attributing part of the delay to logistical challenges in reaching the remote location. She noted that the centralized booking system limits district-level control, which may impact response times in difficult-to-access areas.

Government Action: Investigation and Accountability

In light of the incident, Additional Collector Anshuman Raj confirmed that a show-cause notice has been issued to several health department officials involved in managing emergency response. The investigation aims to identify any failures in protocol and examine ways to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Community Outrage and Need for Improved Healthcare Access

This tragic event has reignited discussions about the urgent need for better healthcare access in rural areas, with local advocates calling for more decentralized control over ambulance dispatch in high-need zones. Sidhi district, like many rural areas in India, faces infrastructural challenges that often delay emergency services—issues that health officials and community leaders are now vowing to address.