Raising serious posers on the state of affairs in healthcare delivery in Odisha’s tribals-dominated Rayagada district, a woman had to deliver a baby in the verandah of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) on Thursday as hospital staffs were reportedly absent.
The incident, which was reported from Tikiri under Kashipur block, sparked outrage among locals as they continue to be deprived of basic amenities like timely healthcare in case of emergencies.
Sources said the woman, Namita Khara, of Pahandi village under Podapadi panchayat developed labour pain at around 7.30 am. Family members brought her immediately to the Tikiri PHC only to find that there was no hospital staff present. While they waited helplessly, Namita delivered a premature baby under extremely unsafe and unhygienic conditions in the verandah.
Following the incident, villagers staged an agitation and demanded that the Health Department direct an investigation into the matter and take immediate action against those guilty of negligence of duty.