A tragic incident in Kalahandi district has once again exposed the fragile state of healthcare services in Odisha.
An 11-year-old girl, Riya Nayak of Tulapada village under Narla block, died after a 108 ambulance broke down en route to the district headquarters hospital.
Riya had been suffering from severe abdominal pain for two months. Doctors at the Narla Community Health Centre referred her to Bhawanipatna District Headquarters Hospital as her condition worsened. While being shifted, the ambulance suffered a punctured tyre near Gohirapadar railway crossing.
Shockingly, the emergency vehicle’s spare tyre was already defunct, leaving the patient stranded for three hours on the road. With no alternative arrangement available, Riya battled for life inside the immobile ambulance. Eventually, another ambulance arrived, but she died on the way to Bhawanipatna hospital. Doctors declared her dead upon arrival.
The incident has triggered public anger in the region. Locals condemned the negligence and demanded strict action against those responsible. They alleged that poor maintenance of emergency vehicles and lack of accountability in the health system directly caused the child’s death.
Officials acknowledged that the ambulance had mechanical faults and failed to provide timely service. The case has intensified calls for urgent reforms in Odisha’s emergency healthcare infrastructure.
