New programme for patients, pregnant women in Odisha

Koraput (Odisha): In order to help patients and pregnant women from inaccessible areas reach their nearest hospital or motorable road, a new programme has been launched in Rayagada district of Odisha under which 183 remote villages will be provided with a specially-designed sling each.

Under the "Amo Doli" programme, a stretcher has been designed as a sling to carry patients smoothly and with less effort. It will replace the traditional method of shifting patients in remote areas by converting a bed into a sling by tying rope to its both ends, officials said.

"The programme aims at helping people residing in hilly areas where no approach road to a village exists. People always shift patients to hospitals with much difficulty by using a sling... In most cases, the condition of a patient deteriorates by the time he/she reaches hospital as the slings are not proper," said Rayagada Collector Jagannath Mohanty.

The administration has identified 183 remote villages which will be provided with a sling.

"These will be kept either at village welfare committees or with ASHA workers. After reaching the nearest motorable point, the villagers can call ambulance by dialling 102 for pregnant women and 108 for emergency services to shift a patient to the nearest hospital," the collector said.

Officials said each sling costs around Rs 9,000 and the programme is being funded under the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) which is meant for Maoist-affected districts. The administration also plans to introduce the programme in more villages situated in inaccessible areas across the district.