All Weather Motorable Roads Being Constructed In Chhotaudepur's Remote Areas: Gujarat HC Told After Pregnant Woman Dies On Way To Ambulance

The State government told the Gujarat High Court on Friday (December 6) that all-weather motorable roads were being constructed wherever feasible in remote areas of Chhotaudepur to ensure that ambulances reach at the sight of emergency and new portable stretchers are being provided for carrying patients from their residence to the ambulance stop. The submission was made before a Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi which was hearing a suo motu plea initiated by it after taking note of an incident where a pregnant woman who, after being "carried on a cloth stretcher" as there was no road, died on her way to the ambulance pickup point in Chottaudepur area in October. The court had earlier called for a report from the concerned Collector indicating the"hard reality" of the situation and a plan for meeting out such medical emergencies.During the hearing on Friday, the court was informed District Administration of Chhotaudepur has submitted a requisition for hiring four wheeler vehicles like Bolero which are to be converted into ambulance to reach to the people living in such areas. Taking note of the Chhotaudepur administration's submissions the court in its order dictated, "In so far as the connectivity for far and remote areas in the state, 36,025 kms of roads are available in the tribal areas of the state (plan and non-plan roads), including 2,486 kms of road in Chhotaudepur District itself. Out of the aforesaid total number of roads, 25,750 kms of road are village roads including 1605 of village roads in Chhotaudepur. Out of 488 major districts, 56 major districts lie in Chhotaudepur District: out of total 1171 minor bridges, 16 minor bridges are in Chhotaudepur...In so far as providing ambulances, it is stated that 108 emergency medical services are available 24x7 in the state and where people can avail of this service by calling the toll-free number which is 108 helpline number. The ambulance reaches the location and carries the patient or injured person to the hospital free of charge, on receiving the call on the said number". "All-weather motorable roads are being constructed wherever feasible in remote areas. In remote areas of one Taluka, Chhotaudepur, where road access is presently available 108 ambulance service at several places, motorable roads are being developed to ensure that the ambulances can reach at the sight of emergency. The District Administration of Chhotaudepur has submitted a requisition to hire four wheeler drive vehicles like Bolero which are to be converted into ambulance to reach to the people living in such areas.Once, the requisite details are submitted on GeM portal to facilitate the purchase and allocation of these special 4x4 ambulances and once they are procured, these vehicles will significantly improve access to remote area, making it easier for the ambulance services to reach even the most difficult locations. New portable stretchers are being provided at the sub-centers and remote areas for carrying patients from their residence to their nearby health facilities center or the ambulance stop. Efforts are being made to by the district administration to create awareness amongst villagers by holding regular community meetings/programs," it added. After taking note of the steps taken by the administration the court disposed of the plea. "In view of these developments brought on record and the progress made in the matter at the instance at the ends of the district administration, Chhotaudepur, we do not find any reason to keep the matter pending. The present petition is accordingly disposed of with the observations that benevolent projects shall continue to operate and be improved and enhanced from time to time,” the court said. As per an October 17 order the High Court had directed the Collector of Chhotaudepur to file affidavit pertaining to the issues regarding medical facilities available in the state for tribal villages that are far and remote, infrastructure facilities in remote areas, connectivity in remote areas and the reason for non-availability of facility like 108 Ambulance at door-steps for such remote areas and the measures available and the steps taken to make the medical facilities available to residence of such remote areas. On Friday, the Advocate General Kamal Trivedi appearing for the State said that an affidavit had been filed pointing to the initiatives which have been taken that involves the combination of government health program, mobile health services and specialized facilities aimed at improving the access to health care for tribal population. The affidavit states that mobile medical units are in place which are equipped with doctors, necessary medical supplies, and that the doctors visit the remote area regularly to supply primary health care services, conduct health cares and offer preventive care such as vaccination. The Advocate General further submitted, that as per the affidavit, as on date there are 132 mobile medical...

All Weather Motorable Roads Being Constructed In Chhotaudepur's Remote Areas: Gujarat HC Told After Pregnant Woman Dies On Way To Ambulance

Lovina B Thakkar

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