Maharashtra: Pregnant woman walks 23 Km to reach nearest hospital in Gadchiroli

Roshni Podadi who lives in Turremarka village in Bhamragad taluka of Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district was in the final stage of her pregnancy when she was forced to walk 23 km through the forest, wading through water to reach the nearest hospital at Laheri. The rural areas in the district lack basic health and transportation facilities.

Gadchiroli: A pregnant woman from Turremarka village in Bhamragad taluka of Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district walked 23 kilometres to reach the nearest hospital. Reportedly, there are no basic health facilities as well as transport facilities available in the rural areas of the district.

Roshni Podadi's delivery date was approaching. As there are no health facilities in the village, an Asha worker advised her to reach the hospital before her due date as monsoon was about to begin. However, her family did not take it seriously.

Finally, on July 3, the woman and Asha worker Parvati Usendi decided to go to Laheri Health Center, 23 km away, for treatment. However, there are no roads or means of transport to the hospital. There was no option but to walk all the way through the forest.

However, upon reaching Laheri, the Asha Worker, realised that there were not enough health facilities available at the place, Roshni was then admitted to Lok Biradari hospital by arranging an ambulance. Dr Anagha Amte and Digant Amte examined Roshni and admitted her to the hospital.

Roshni gave birth to a daughter on the same day. She was discharged from the hospital on July 7.

Hemlaksa Lokbiradari Initiative

Lokbiradari hospital has started an initiative for pregnant patients in remote areas of Gadchiroli district. In areas where the Asha worker cannot visit houses on time, or where the ambulance does not arrive, pregnant women are required to come to the hospital 15 days before the approximate day of delivery. Here, they are provided with accommodation along with relatives and three meals a day.

"We have been running the hospital since 40 years. I have been treating pregnant women for the last 3 years. Due to lack of transport and other facilities, patients face difficulties in reaching here. We ask pregnant women to come to the hospital 15 days before the due date," said Dr Anagha Amte of Lok Biradari hospital.

Dr Anagha informed that 30 to 35 women benefit from this initiative every month.