A 25-year-old woman experiencing pregnancy complications delivered her baby in an ambulance while being transported to Thane Civil Hospital from Wada Rural Hospital in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, confirmed by officials.
According to Wada Rural Hospital’s medical supervisor, Dr. Yadav Shekhare, the facility lacks specialized equipment for critical maternity cases. Kalyani Bhoye arrived on December 13 with severe labour pains.
Indicating fetal distress, doctors found meconium in the womb and an erratic fetal heartbeat. She was sent to Thane Civil Hospital, which is 75 kilometers away, for advanced care due to the serious severity of her condition.
The patient was accompanied by medical staff in a fully-equipped ambulance. However, poor road conditions led to an emergency delivery just 10 km into the journey. The attending doctor successfully delivered a healthy male infant. The ambulance then returned to Wada Rural Hospital, where both mother and child received post-natal care.
Dr. Shekhare confirmed their stable condition and praised the medical team’s quick action. He highlighted the hospital’s challenges, noting it manages up to six deliveries daily, including caesarean sections, despite limited resources. He emphasized the need for improved equipment and infrastructure, recognized the effect that bad roads have on patient transportation, and praised the team’s commitment to patient safety in trying situations.