Bantwal: Ambulance workers' strike results in newborn's death

Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, Aug 4: The ongoing ambulance workers' protest has even reached rural areas, and has claimed the life of a baby.

In a heart-rending incident, ‘Jeevarakshaka Ambulance’ for which KSRTC drivers have been temporarily employed reportedly did not provide adequate medical facilities and as a result, a new born died in the ambulance.

The poor family that lost the baby is in pain. It is said that the baby was born to the couple after 11 years of marriage. Dharnappa Poojary and Babi from Koyyur in Bantwal are the parents of the deceased baby.

Babi who was pregnant was frequently going for checkup to Ujire hospital and the doctors had given the due date as August 6. Babi during her pregnancy was living in her maternal house at Shibaje.

On June 26 at around 3.30 am, she developed labour pain and soon the family members called 108 ambulance. As the ambulance delayed in reaching the spot, Babi was taken in a private vehicle for about 6 km. After some time, the ambulance arrived and while on the way to a hospital at Mangalore, Babi gave birth to a baby boy.

The driver and family members without knowing what to do at the time, took her to Ashwini hospital which was 4 km away. Over there, first aid facility was provided. As proper medical assistance was not given during birth, the doctors advised them to go to a hospital in Mangalore.

The baby was taken in the same ambulance to Wenlock hospital, but it died on August 2 evening.

What was the reason?

'Jeevarakshaka Ambulance' drivers and staff have been on protest, hence the government temporarily appointed KSRTC drivers for ambulance. But government had failed to provide medical assistants, nurses from health department as assured earlier. This incident took place in the absence of trained staff. There was only one government-appointed KSRTC driver in the ambulance all the way from Udane to Mangalore and no other staff. Babi did not get treatment during delivery which ultimately lea to the death of the newborn, it is learnt.

Dharnappa Poojary and Babi are from a poor family. Their elder daughter is now 11 year-old. She is perusing her 6th standard in Koyyur government school. Babi became pregnant after 11 years and the family members were keenly looking forward to the arrival of the new member in the family.

As many as 2,400 employees of GVK-Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) drivers and emergency medical staff who operate 517 ambulances in the state have been on strike since last week demanding a salary hike and regularisation of their services.