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Palghar Ambulance Shortages Lead to Stillbirth and 80-Kilometre Bus Journey With Infant’s Body

An official inquiry has been launched after villagers called for reforms to chronic ambulance shortages in rural medical services.

Maharashtra

Overview

  • After a 15-hour wait for emergency transport, Avita Sakharam Kavar delivered a stillborn baby and later survived life-saving surgery at Nashik District Hospital.
  • With no hospital-arranged transport or funds, Sakharam Kavar placed his newborn’s body in a plastic bag for the 80-kilometre bus trip back to Jogalwadi village.
  • He alleges police assaulted him when he pressed health centre staff for explanations about the prolonged ambulance delay.
  • Authorities have faced criticism from residents and former MLA Sunil Bhusara over repeated failures of the 108 ambulance service in Palghar’s tribal areas.
  • The Palghar health department has ordered an investigation in response to widespread outrage, while officials say they monitored the pregnancy and detected fetal demise before referral.