Baripada: In an utter display of inhuman act, the driver of a’108′ ambulance forced a pregnant woman and her attendants to get down from the emergency vehicle midway for refusing to pay money on Wednesday night in Mayurbhanj district.
The husband of the woman, Mochiram Soren alleged that the driver demanded money as there were four attendants including ASHA in the vehicle. He stopped the vehicle mid-way when they expressed inability to fulfill his demand.
Soren, a resident of Gunju Sahi under Baripada sadar block had called the ambulance after his wife suffered labour pain.
Soren along with three others including ASHA were on the way to PRM Medical College and Hospital in Baripada. The driver demanded travel fare from them midway. As they could not pay money, he forced them to get down at Jambira Diha, around 30 kms away from the hospital.
They had to wait for around half an hour on the road till they hired an auto rickshaw, Soren said.
“We had to wait with my pregnant wife for around 30 minutes on the road. Later we hired an auto rickshaw for Rs 300 and reached the hospital, he added.
The ASHA had argued with the driver after he asked them to get down for money.
“We also agreed to pay a small amount for tea and tiffin. Still, he stopped there,” Soren said.
The ASHA has apprised the matter to district health authorities, demanding action against the erring ambulance driver.
