Etapalli rural hospital has no gynaecologist post: Minister

Nagpur: Etapalli rural hospital in Gadchiroli district does not have a single sanctioned gynaecologist post, the state govt informed the Maharashtra Legislative Council — a disclosure that came months after a 24-year-old pregnant woman from the taluka walked 6km through forest terrain and died along with her newborn after failing to receive timely medical care.The disclosure came in response to a starred question raised by various MLCs following which members also pointed out that public health minister Prakash Abitkar announced during the 2025 monsoon session that he would study other states and provide ambulance services in tribal and remote areas, but it was never implemented on the ground.Asha Santosh Kiranga (24), a resident of Alodandi Tola in Etapalli taluka, walked nearly 6km through jungle paths to her sister's home in Petha on Jan 1, as her village had no delivery facilities. She went into severe labour the following morning, was rushed by ambulance to Lions Kali Ammal Memorial Hospital at Hedri, and died at 5.08am on Jan 2 after failing to respond to treatment. The baby had already died in the womb.Abitkar said in his written reply that Etapalli rural hospital has 30 sanctioned posts, of which only 20 are filled, and of four sanctioned medical officer posts, only two are functional. The post of gynaecologist does not exist in the hospital's sanctioned strength at all. With no gynaecologist available even for the post-mortem after the deaths, the bodies of mother and child were transported 30km to Aheri sub-district hospital.On ambulance availability, Abitkar said Etapalli taluka has 10 ambulances under the 102 and 108 services, and that the purchase of two more for Etapalli rural hospital was initiated. Five additional ambulances are also being procured for Gadchiroli district from District Mining Foundation funds. A women and child hospital was newly started at Aheri, and vacancy filling across tribal district health institutions is underway, he said.Abitkar said a show-cause notice for dereliction of duty was served on the in-charge medical superintendent of Etapalli rural hospital by Gadchiroli district civil surgeon. The question was raised by MLCs 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 in the Council on Thursday.