NHRC seeks report from Andhra over lack of road connectivity and healthcare facilities

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday took a suo moto cognisance of an incident where a pregnant woman was carried by her husband for 12 kilometres due to lack of road connectivity in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district.

The NHRC has also issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of the government of Andhra Pradesh over the reported lack of road connectivity and healthcare facilities leading to loss of life in the tribal belt and sought a report from the government within four weeks.

According to a statement released by the NHRC, the pregnant woman was undergoing labour pain, and then her husband along with some villagers carried her through a forest before she could get an ambulance to reach the hospital.

The woman delivered a stillborn child on the way.

According to the doctor who treated her, the woman is stable and recovering well.

"She was brought here as she had retained placenta, her condition is stable and recovering well," said Dr Siva Baga Jyothi.

The statement also cited some media reports that such incidents are not uncommon in the area and it lacks proper infrastructure and healthcare facilities.

The commission has sought a detailed report of all the incidents of the same nature.

"The State Government is expected to inform how many such incidents have occurred during the last one year and the action taken by the authorities on them. The Commission would also like to know the status of the treatment being provided to the victim woman and relief, if any, granted by the state authorities to her," read the statement.

The Commission further directed the state to ensure access of proper healthcare facilities to its citizens. And, also to act upon the several flagship programs run by the state government.