The death of a 24-year-old pregnant woman from a remote village in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district has ignited a public outcry and a debate over the accessibility of emergency healthcare in India's tribal hinterlands. The incident, which occurred in early January, involved Asha Santosh Kiranga from Aladandi Tola village in Etapalli taluka.
Conflicting Narratives Emerge
Initial reports suggested a tragic failure of the system. It was alleged that Kiranga, in her third trimester, and her husband were forced to walk approximately 6 kilometers through jungle terrain on January 1 to reach her sister's home in Petha, seeking a way to reach a medical facility for an institutional delivery. The exhaustion from this arduous journey in an advanced stage of pregnancy was widely reported as the cause of her death.
However, the district administration has strongly refuted this version of events. Following a visit to the village by Suhas Gade, CEO of Zilla Parishad, and District Health Officer Dr. Pratap Shinde, officials presented a different sequence. Dr. Shinde stated that the news of the woman walking for treatment or due to an ambulance shortage was "completely false."
Administration's Version of Events
According to the official investigation, Kiranga had travelled from Aladandi Tola to Petha to visit a priest and stayed there overnight. Between 1 am and 2 am, she suddenly developed complications. "Realising the seriousness of the situation, the local ASHA worker was immediately contacted," Dr. Shinde explained.
He emphasized that the ASHA worker promptly arranged an ambulance without any delay, which then transported the pregnant woman to the Lloyds Kali Ammal Hospital in Hedri. "Therefore, the claim that 'she died because she had to walk 6 km' was completely baseless and not in accordance with the facts," Dr. Shinde asserted. He added that ASHA and health workers had regularly visited Kiranga's home for check-ups and guidance.
Officials Urge Against Superstition, Promote Health Systems
CEO Suhas Gade reiterated the administration's sensitivity towards maternal and child mortality in remote areas and stated that no negligence was found in this case. The officials used the occasion to issue a crucial advisory to villagers.
They urged that in cases of pregnancy or serious illness, people should not resort to priests, traditional healers, or superstitious treatments. "Instead, contact the government health system directly, including primary health centres, ASHA workers, or ambulance services," Gade said, stressing that timely medical intervention can save many lives.
While the administration's statement established the sequence of events—visiting the priest, the overnight stay, and the sudden health deterioration—it notably did not specify the actual medical cause of Asha Santosh Kiranga's death. The incident continues to highlight the critical challenges and perceptions surrounding healthcare delivery in India's most isolated regions.
