The rule, which allows ‘Mahtari Express’ to cater to pregnant women of only one district, is causing inconvenience to the people living in the border areas of two districts.
Budhram Ursa, resident of Keshkatul village, Bhairamgarh in Bijapur district, brought her pregnant wife to Maharani Hospital of Jagdalpur in a rented vehicle. After the delivery, he could not afford to rent a vehicle again to take her wife and baby back to Keshkatul.
After a few hours of struggle, Budhram found about Mahtari Express which offers free pick up and drop of pregnant women from their homes to the hospital. When he called the toll-free number 102 for their services, he was told that the services of Mahatari Express are limited to only one district.
Thus, neither Jagdalpur Mahtari Express could drop him to his village in Bijapur district from Maharani Hospital nor the service from his home State could offer him assistance.
When contacted, officers told the services of Mahtari Express were available within district. The maximum distance of travel was fixed at 100 km.
This condition by the Government is affecting the people who live closer to hospital of other districts and are thus devoid of free Government service during the time of emergency.