Ambulance Never Came: Pregnant Woman Delivers Baby on Roadside Under Mobile Light in Vidisha

Vidisha: In a shocking incident highlighting gaps in emergency healthcare, a pregnant woman delivered her baby on a roadside in Vidisha after an ambulance failed to arrive despite repeated calls. A video of the incident has surfaced and is being widely shared.

The incident occurred on Thursday night in Chapara village under the Pathari area. The Community Health Centre, from where the ambulance was called, is located just three kilometres from the village.

Sandhya, wife of Sanjay Adivasi and a resident of Chapara village, went into labour around midnight. Her family repeatedly contacted the 108 ambulance service and Janani Express, but each time they were assured the vehicle would arrive shortly. Despite waiting for hours, no ambulance reached the village.

As Sandhya’s condition worsened, the family decided to walk her to the hospital. Near the ration shop in Garhi Mohalla, her labour pain intensified, and she could not move further. She was laid on the roadside and covered with a plastic tarpaulin.

Under the open sky on a cold night, Sandhya’s husband stood holding a mobile phone torch for light, while a small stove was lit to keep her warm. Pathari village watchwoman Hari Bai reached the spot and, realising the seriousness of the situation, called local midwife Rajbai. Together, they assisted the delivery on the roadside.

The mother and newborn remained on the roadside for nearly three hours. Later, a local resident, Sanjay Jain, arrived and took them to the hospital in his car. Both mother and baby were admitted, and their condition is reported to be stable.

Sanjay Adivasi said he had called the ambulance three times, with each call kept on hold for about 15 minutes. He said that had the ambulance arrived on time, his wife would not have had to endure labour on the roadside.

Attempts by Dainik Bhaskar to seek a response from the staff of the Community Health Centre reportedly drew no reply.