Hazaribag: A 28-year-old pregnant woman in labour had to be carried on a cot for more than a km after an ambulance failed to reach her village in Chatra district’s Butkuiya village on Monday evening.Rita Devi went into labour and her family immediately called for an ambulance. But the vehicle could not enter the village because the route is cut off by Domuhan river, which has no bridge. The approach road is also in poor condition.As Rita’s condition worsened, villagers came together and placed her on a cot. Carrying her on their shoulders, they walked for more than a km through the difficult stretch to reach the main road. From there, she was taken in another vehicle to the Kunda primary health centre.The incident has once again highlighted the problems faced by residents of remote villages in accessing emergency healthcare. Pregnant women, critically ill patients, elderly people and children are particularly vulnerable when ambulances cannot reach their homes on time.Residents said the absence of a bridge over Domuhan river has caused hardship for Butkuiya and neighbouring villages for several years. The situation becomes even more dangerous during the monsoon, when the river swells, roads become difficult to cross and connectivity is frequently disrupted.Ward member Ashok Yadav, along with villagers Brijesh Yadav and Ramu Ganjhu, said people somehow manage on normal days, but in medical emergencies, the lack of a bridge can turn a short journey into a life-threatening ordeal.The villagers have urged the administration to construct a bridge over the river at the earliest and repair the approach road so ambulances and other essential vehicles can reach the village directly.Kunda BDO Saket Kumar Sinha said efforts are being made to get the bridge constructed and that the matter has been brought to the attention of the deputy commissioner. Since the river is wide, he said, a large bridge would be required. The project may be pursued through the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT).
