Odisha doctor crosses hill, river to assist woman in labor
At a time when healthcare giants are infamous for fleecing patients and organizational apathy, tales of selfless individual efforts rekindle hope. One such is the story of Dr. Yagnadatta Rath, who walked on foot over 1.5km, crossed a river and hiked a mountain in Odisha's Kandhamal district on Sunday to provide timely medical assistance to a tribal woman in labor. Read on for more.
What happened?
Sitadadu Raita, a 23-year-old Kutia Kondh tribal woman, went into labor while on her way to a hospital. A first-time mother, she had already given birth to a girl by the time Dr. Rath reached her. However, her placenta had not come out. After providing the mother-child with initial post-natal care, they were rushed to the health centre in an ambulance, reported Hindustan Times.
Mother and newborn safe, to be discharged today
Though Balam, Raita's village, is 7km away from the health center, it can be reached only on foot by climbing a hill and crossing a river seven times. When Raita, accompanied by her husband/family, delivered midway, Tumudibandha block development officer was informed and Dr. Rath immediately left. Now under medical supervision, Raita and her newborn are safe and would be discharged today.
Who is Dr. Yagnadatta Rath?
Rath is a 29-year-old ad-hoc doctor at Tumudibandha community health center in Odisha's Kandhamal, known to be a Maoist stronghold. He did his MBBS six years ago from Bhubaneswar's Institute of Medical Science and SUM Hospital. His wife is also a doctor at Tumudibandha.
Several selfless doctors are serving tribals in Odisha
Dr. Rath's is the latest in a series of instances of doctors going out of their way to help patients in Odisha, one of India's poorest states. Malkangiri district, October 2017: Dr. Omkar Hota carried a tribal woman bleeding after childbirth for 10km over three hours through forests. Nabarangpur district, May 2013: Three doctors donated blood to save a tribal woman from post-delivery complications.
