Maharashtra Rural Hospital Operates Without Sanctioned Gynaecologist Post
The Etapalli rural hospital in Gadchiroli district does not have a single sanctioned gynaecologist position, the Maharashtra state government has informed the Legislative Council. This critical disclosure comes months after a tragic incident where a 24-year-old pregnant woman from the taluka walked 6 kilometers through dense forest terrain and subsequently died along with her newborn due to a lack of timely medical intervention.
Government Response Reveals Systemic Healthcare Gaps
In a written reply, Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar detailed that the Etapalli rural hospital has 30 sanctioned posts, with only 20 currently filled. Of the four sanctioned medical officer positions, merely two are functional. Most alarmingly, the post of a gynaecologist does not exist at all within the hospital's sanctioned strength. This admission was made in response to a starred question raised by multiple Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs).
Tragic Case Highlights Consequences of Infrastructure Deficiencies
The issue gained prominence following the death of Asha Santosh Kiranga, a 24-year-old resident of Alodandi Tola in Etapalli taluka. On January 1, she walked nearly 6 kilometers through jungle paths to her sister's home in Petha because her village lacked delivery facilities. The following morning, she went into severe labor, was rushed by ambulance to Lions Kali Ammal Memorial Hospital in Hedri, but died at 5:08 AM on January 2 after failing to respond to treatment. The baby had already died in the womb prior to her arrival.
Due to the absence of a gynaecologist, even for conducting a post-mortem, the bodies of the mother and child had to be transported 30 kilometers to the Aheri sub-district hospital.
Ambulance Services and Promised Improvements Fall Short
During the 2025 monsoon session, Minister Abitkar had announced plans to study other states and implement ambulance services in tribal and remote areas. However, MLCs pointed out that this initiative was never effectively implemented on the ground. In his recent reply, Abitkar stated that Etapalli taluka currently has 10 ambulances under the 102 and 108 emergency services. The purchase of two additional ambulances for Etapalli rural hospital has been initiated, and five more are being procured for Gadchiroli district using District Mining Foundation funds.
Administrative Actions and Broader Health Initiatives
In response to the incident, a show-cause notice for dereliction of duty was served on the in-charge medical superintendent of Etapalli rural hospital by the Gadchiroli district civil surgeon. Abitkar also mentioned that a new women and child hospital has been started at Aheri, and vacancy filling across health institutions in the tribal district is currently underway. The question in the Council was raised by a group of MLCs including Satej Patil, Ashok Jagtap, Jayant Asgaonkar, Sudhakar Adbale, Satyajit Tambe, Manisha Kayande, Krupal Tumane, Anil Parab, Amol Mitkari, Vikram Kale, Shivajirao Gaje, Idris Naikwadi, Satish Chavan, and Sanjay Khodke.
This case underscores persistent challenges in rural healthcare infrastructure, particularly in remote tribal regions, where staffing shortages and logistical delays can have fatal outcomes.
