Odisha Teen Carries Father To Hospital In Trolley, Denied Healthcare

In Odisha's Bhadrak, a 14-year-old girl rode a trolley rickshaw for a distance of 35 kilometres to transport her injured father to the district headquarters hospital. 

Minor girl carries injured father on trolley for 35 kms to hospital in Odisha’s Bhadrak#Odisha pic.twitter.com/b3HtSFOuYi

— OTV (@otvnews) October 26, 2023

Details Of The Incident

On October 26, the girl was seen near Mohatab Chhak in Bhadrak town taking her father back home on the trolley. 

The incident is from October 23 when Sujata Sethi, a 14-year-old from Nadigan village, cycled her father's trolley to transport him to Dhamnagar Hospital, which is approximately 14 kilometres from their village.

Nonetheless, doctors told her to relocate her father to the Bhadrak district headquarters hospital. She then pedalled the trolley for another 35 kilometres to take her father to the district hospital. Her father, Sambhunath, had sustained injuries during a group clash.

According to reports by NDTV, Sujata said doctors at the Bhadrak district headquarters hospital recommended that she go back home and return after a week for a surgical procedure.

"I lack the finances to hire a private vehicle and don't possess a mobile phone to call an ambulance. So, I used my father's trolley to transport him (Sambhunath) to the hospital."

What Do Doctors Say?

Bhadrak Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Santanu Patra said that the patient was admitted for treatment on October 23, and an operation was advised for a week later.

"We do not have a provision for ambulance services to transport patients back home... He will remain in the hospital until the completion of his treatment," Mr Patra stated.

Upon learning of the incident, Bhadrak MLA Sanjib Mallick and former Dhamnagar MLA Rajendra Das went to the girl's aid and provided necessary assistance.

Health Infrastructure In Dismay

Sujata's story highlights a crucial issue – the lack of health facilities, and in this case, provision for ambulance services to return patients home. This is a matter that needs immediate attention to ensure seamless healthcare for all.

Her journey like several others serves as a reminder that there is a desperate need for a call to action – a plea for better healthcare infrastructure, transportation facilities, and community support in remote areas.

The fact that a 14-year-old girl had to transport her injured father on a trolley for 35 kilometres because of a lack of healthcare options is a clear indicator of the insufficiency of rural healthcare facilities. In rural India, where a significant portion of the population resides, the scarcity of medical facilities can mean the difference between life and death.

India's progress cannot be complete unless its healthcare infrastructure reaches every corner of the nation. Healthcare is a fundamental right, not a matter of privilege or chance. The time for change is now, and Sujata's story must serve as a clarion call for a healthier, more equitable India.

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