The deceased was being referred from Ramnagar Community Health Centre (CHC) to the district hospital after collapsing at home on Saturday morning while warming himself near a fire. Doctors at the CHC provided initial treatment before arranging his transfer in an 108 emergency ambulance.
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However, upon reaching the hospital, the ambulance’s rear door reportedly got jammed, trapping the patient inside. According to the news reports, visuals from the scene show frantic efforts by bystanders and hospital staff to open the vehicle, including kicks, punches, and improvised tools. The ambulance driver was also seen trying to access the patient through a window. After a prolonged struggle, the ambulance door was eventually forced open, and the patient was removed on a stretcher. However, hospital doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Following the incident, the district health department maintained that the patient had already died before reaching the hospital. Satna Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Manoj Shukla said that a notice has been issued to the district coordination officer to ascertain responsibility and initiate action. “After the matter came to light, a notice has been served to the district coordinator, and further action will be taken based on the findings,” Dr Shukla said, reports India Today.
Critics argue that the incident highlights systemic problems in emergency services rather than being an isolated lapse.
According to the Logical Indian, Locals, civil society activists and health watchdogs have pointed out that issuing notices and internal reviews without transparent timelines or clear corrective actions has become a routine response to systemic failures. They argue that the greater issue at hand is not merely who is responsible, but whether adequate systems, accountability and maintenance regimes are in place to ensure that emergency healthcare actually saves lives.
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The incident has once again highlighted the poor condition and maintenance of 108 ambulances in Satna district, with multiple reports in recent months drawing attention to shortcomings in emergency healthcare services.
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