A tragic incident raising severe questions about the public healthcare machinery has emerged from Mandla district in Madhya Pradesh. In the home district of State Cabinet and Public Health Engineering Minister Sampatiya Uikey, a 21-year-old youth lost his life after an emergency ambulance ran out of oxygen en route to the hospital. The family members of the deceased have levelled serious allegations of negligence against the staff of the 108 ambulance service. Following widespread concern over the incident, Minister Sampatiya Uikey directed officials to conduct a thorough probe into the matter.
A Long Struggle With Chronic Kidney Illness
According to available details, 21-year-old Ajit Barya, a resident of Sunhera Mal village in Mandla district, had been battling severe kidney disease for several months. He was undergoing regular dialysis treatment at the Mandla District Hospital. The family stated that they had submitted multiple requests to the hospital administration to adjust his dialysis schedule and provide improved medical attention. However, they alleged that their appeals went unheeded, leading to a gradual deterioration in his health condition.
Timeline of Ambulance Delay and Emergency Missteps
When Ajit experienced acute respiratory distress as his condition worsened, his family immediately contacted the 108 emergency ambulance service. The family alleged that the ambulance arrived nearly an hour after the call was placed. Furthermore, upon loading the patient, the on-duty staff reportedly refused to administer oxygen immediately, citing the absence of prior authorization from a doctor. This refusal to provide immediate critical support further compromised the patient's condition.
Cylinder Empty in Transit: Tragic Turn on the Road
Instead of being transported straight to the district facility, the patient was taken first to the Bamhani Community Health Centre. The attending doctor at Bamhani recognized the critical nature of Ajit's condition, ordered immediate oxygen support, and referred him to the Mandla District Hospital. However, during the journey toward Mandla, the oxygen cylinder installed in the vehicle ran out completely. As oxygen supply stopped, Ajit struggled for breath and passed away in his parents' arms before reaching the district hospital, raising critical queries about pre-trip equipment checks and backup cylinder availability.
Questions Raised in Minister Sampatiya Uikey's Home District
The tragedy has drawn sharp public scrutiny as Mandla is the home district of Cabinet Minister Sampatiya Uikey. Local residents and community members questioned how emergency medical response could fail so drastically in a high-profile district. Concerns were also highlighted regarding previous instances of delayed ambulances, shortage of doctors, and flawed referral protocols across the region. While Minister Sampatiya Uikey has assured strict action against anyone found guilty in the inquiry, the grieving family remains devastated by the loss of their young son.
