Moolamattom: A tribal woman and her just-born baby had to be rushed to the nearest hospital after a treacherous trek by local residents through forest path at Pathipally Thekku, near Moolamattom, in Idukki district.
Anitha, 30, and her baby were taken to hospital by local residents two hours after her delivery. The residents carried the duo on their shoulders while negotiating the unpaved paths. The umbilical chord was separated only at the hospital.
Though the doctor gave March 12 as the expected date of delivery, Anitha felt labour pain on Wednesday morning. Though it was decided to take her to hospital first, the plan was dropped taking into account the risk to her life as it would take a minimum 1.5 km through the sloppy forest path to reach the nearest tarred road.
Without proper roads the tribal community finds it difficult to access the nearest hospital. There is no vehicle facility in Pathipalli Thekku. Though money was allotted by the authorities, the road construction did not take off due to objection from the Forest Department.
The condition of the nearest Moolamattom-Pathipally Road is also pathetic.
