Tension gripped Umerkote town in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district after the death of a pregnant ASHA worker, allegedly due to medical negligence and delayed ambulance service.
The deceased, identified as Dayamati Bhatra from Badabasani village under Umerkote block, had reportedly developed labor pain and was taken to the Umerkote Sub-Divisional Hospital by her family.
Doctors referred her to the Nabarangpur District Headquarters Hospital due to her critical condition and low hemoglobin levels. However, the ambulance reportedly arrived after a long delay. Dayamati died en route to Nabarangpur, sparking outrage among locals.
In protest, family members and villagers placed her body on the road near Dandakaranya Medical Road and staged a blockade, demanding compensation and action against those responsible. The situation turned volatile, prompting police deployment at the site.
While some blame medical negligence for the tragedy, others point to a lack of awareness and delayed ambulance response. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement, but the incident has reignited concerns over rural healthcare infrastructure and emergency response systems.