In absence of a pucca road, 3 patients of Patakhalia area under Chandahandi block of Nabarangpur district reportedly suffering from diarrhea and vomiting, had to be carried on a bullock cart for 5 kms to reach ambulance.

The tall claims of Odisha government of providing quality healthcare seem to be falling flat as non-motorable roads continue to pose a hindrance to the ambulance services in rural belts of the State.

As their condition deteriorated, locals called up ambulance services but it could not reach their village due to poor condition of the connecting roads. With no other option, the three patients were carried on a bullock cart to access the ambulance stationed some 5 kms away. Later, the ambulance rushed them to nearest Chandahandi Community Health Centre where they are currently undergoing treatment. Doctors at the Community Health Centre informed that the three patients were given necessary treatment and their condition is stated to be stable now.

Notably, the State Government has in place a comprehensive pre-hospital emergency medical service with a fleet of Basic Life Support and Advance Life Support ambulances which cover the whole of Odisha. In order to meet the increasing demand of ambulance, CM Naveen Patnaik has also been adding additional 108 and 102 ambulances to the fleet to strengthen the healthcare services in the State. However, the implementation of the same in rural pockets has been a major concern.

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