Keonjhar: Janani Surakhya Yojana is being implemented to ensure safe maternity, but the programme is reportedly ineffective in some inaccessible pockets of Keonjhar district.
Ambulances fail to reach riparian villages in the absence of bridges and approach roads. In such cases, boats are the only means to carry pregnant women across rivers in precarious conditions. Sometimes, pregnant women are carried in slings or forced to walk to hospitals.
Saturday a shocking incident was reported at Sapalaji village under Telkoi block. Chapala Patra, a woman of the village, went into labour. Samakoi river was the main hurdle for ambulance reaching the village.
Chapala walked up to the riverbank and from there she was ferried in a country boat across the river. Then, she was shifted to Telkoi CHC in an ambulance which was waiting on the other side of the river.
Even children are ferried on boats on a daily basis in the area. Locals demanded a bridge across the river for communication facility.
Project director of Integrated Tribal Development Agency Nrusingha Charan Swain said steps will be taken after taking stock of the situation and if necessary a bridge will be set up at the place.
PNN