Kerala prays as ambulance rushes 15-day-old infant from

An ambulance literally streaked across the road transporting a 15-day-old infant with a serious heart-related problem from a hospital in Mangaluru to a private one here in five-and-a-half hours Tuesday as authorities and people came together to create a green corridor on a 400 km stretch.

The child has been admitted to the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences here following intervention by the Kerala government, official sources said.

Initially, the relatives had decided to take the child directly to the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology in Thiruvananthapuram in the ambulance covering over 600 km in 12 hours.

However, State Health Minister K K Shailaja Teacher intervened and urged the relatives to take it to the Kochi hospital.

The minister, who spoke to doctors in Amrita Hospital, convinced the relatives that a long journey will be risky for the child who was in a serious condition.

The minister also offered free treatment for the child under the 'Hrudyam project' of the state government.

When the Ambulance started from Mangalore at around 11 am, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made an appeal to the people to ensure smooth journey for the vehicle.

Messages through various social media platforms also helped the authorities provide a hassle-free journey and the ambulance reached the hospital in five and a half hours covering the distance of 400 km.

The baby, diagnosed with a serious heart-related problem, was born to Sania and Mithah from Kasaragod 15 days ago, according to sources.