A pregnant tribal woman, who walked miles from her remote village, took a jeep ride and crossed a river by boat in bad weather along with her husband, to reach a hospital only to be turned away, was finally forced to give birth inside a moving autorickshaw.
On reaching the Kothamangalam hospital in Ernakulam district last night after a long journey from their village at Thalavachappara, the couple was turned away saying there was no gynecologist. Despite pleading with the hospital authorities, the exhausted couple was forced to leave for another hospital.
The woman, Susheela, along with her husband, hired an autorickshaw in search of another hospital and she delivered the baby girl in the vehicle.
Kothamanagalam police were informed and the women police took the mother and baby to a private hospital.
Police sources said they rendered help to the couple and that the couple had not filed any complaint or case against the government hospital.
Health Department sources said the District Medical Officer today visited the government hospital to inquire about the incident.
The official also visited the woman at the private hospital.
