Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
A woman writhing in unbearable labour pain, a speeding bus, and mounting fear with every passing second, such a dramatic situation unfolded on Tuesday morning in Waluj, where humanity shone through. As labour pains intensified, the bus was instantly turned into a makeshift clinic. Thanks to the doctors’ swift and courageous decision, both mother and baby are safe. Amid those fearful moments, the sweet cry of a newborn finally echoed.
Gorakh Vitthal Gaikwad (30, resident of Bodhare, Chalisgaon tehsil, Jalgaon district), a sugarcane cutter, had travelled to Pune for work with his wife Jyoti Gaikwad and their young children. After the harvesting season ended, the family left for their native village on Monday evening. During the journey, tractor jerks triggered abdominal pain for Jyoti. Sensing trouble, they continued their journey by bus from Chakan.
Labour pains intensify in the morning
At 5.30 am on Tuesday, they boarded the Pune–Jalgaon (MH-14 MH-6462) Jamner depot bus. At around 8.50 am, as the bus reached Waluj, Jyoti experienced severe labour pains. Realising the seriousness of the situation, driver S.M. Mali (Padadi, Jamner, Jalgaon district) and conductor A.S. Ambhore (Akola) immediately stopped the bus. Around 25 passengers were safely deboarded and shifted to another bus to continue their journey.
Bus diverted to primary health centre
Social worker Ashok Dalvi stepped forward to assist, and ASHA worker Vaishali Chape was contacted. As an ambulance could not reach in time, driver Mali made a bold decision to drive the bus directly to the Primary Health Centre in Waluj. Noting the woman’s deteriorating condition, medical officer Dr Prashant Date and nurse Usha Gaikwad decided to conduct the delivery inside the bus itself. With the support of Urmila Jadhav, Dipali Gaikwad, Pushpalata Jadhav and health worker Sunil Mhaske, a safe delivery was conducted in the bus, and Jyoti Gaikwad gave birth to a healthy baby.
Tears of joy as baby cries
Both mother and baby are stable and are receiving further care at the health centre. The promptness, courage and humanity displayed in this life-threatening situation helped avert a major tragedy.
‘Medical duty comes first’
“As the woman was confined inside the bus, it was not possible to move her immediately. With labour pains intensifying, any delay would have been risky. Considering the seriousness of the situation, we decided to conduct the delivery inside the bus. Though the family did not have the necessary documents at hand, we prioritised our medical duty and humanitarian approach, initiated immediate treatment, and ensured a safe delivery,” said, health officer at Waluj health centre, Dr Prashant Date.