Balaghat Tragedy: Malaria Patient Dies After Ambulance Halted Over Leopard Scare and Demand for Extra Fare

Leopard Scare Turns Fatal: Patient Dies After Ambulance Delay in Balaghat

A young woman suffering from malaria died after an ambulance carrying her to a hospital allegedly stopped midway in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district late Monday night. Her family accused the driver and a medical attendant of halting the vehicle in a forested stretch, citing a leopard sighting, and demanding extra payment before resuming the journey.

The incident has triggered outrage over the misuse of emergency medical transport services and raised concerns about patient safety in rural areas dependent on government ambulances.

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From Referral to Tragedy

The deceased, Gayatri Uikey (20), hailed from Jatta village in Birsa block, located nearly 95 kilometres from Balaghat district headquarters. She had been admitted to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Birsa on Sunday evening after developing severe malaria symptoms.

Doctors referred her to the Balaghat District Hospital for advanced treatment when her condition deteriorated. The ambulance carrying Gayatri left Birsa around 10 p.m. but reached its destination only at 12:15 a.m., a journey that usually takes about an hour.

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Family Alleges Extortion and Negligence

According to Gayatri’s relatives, the ambulance staff stopped in a forested area during the trip, claiming to have spotted a leopard. When family members pleaded to continue driving, the driver and attendant allegedly demanded an additional ₹700, eventually agreeing to ₹600.

“While the argument over money continued, Gayatri’s condition worsened rapidly,” said a family member in a statement to police. By the time the ambulance reached the district hospital, she had lost consciousness and was declared dead on arrival.

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Police Arrest Ambulance Staff

Following a complaint by health officials, Birsa Police registered a case against the driver and attendant. Station House Officer (SHO) Rewal Singh Warde confirmed that both accused were produced before a local court on Tuesday and remanded to police custody.

“Preliminary investigation suggests the staff demanded money despite the service being free. They stopped the ambulance and refused to move until they received additional payment,” Warde said.

Police have booked the duo under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and also invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as the victim belonged to a Scheduled Tribe community.

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Health Department Acts Against the Accused

District health authorities have also initiated departmental proceedings against both employees for gross misconduct and negligence leading to the patient’s death. Senior officials described the case as “deeply disturbing” and reiterated that all emergency medical transport under the state health scheme is provided free of cost.

“This incident violates both ethical and professional standards of medical care. The government has directed strict action to ensure accountability,” a senior health officer told reporters.

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Rural Healthcare and Accountability Concerns

The case underscores persistent challenges in rural healthcare delivery — from inadequate supervision of ambulance services to corruption and delays that cost lives. Health activists argue that poor monitoring mechanisms allow such malpractice to thrive.

“Ambulances are meant to save lives, not become vehicles for exploitation. This case highlights the urgent need for stronger oversight and GPS-based monitoring of emergency services,” said Dr. Sanjay Jain, a Bhopal-based public health expert.