MP man dies as oxygen runs out in government ambulance; inquiry ordered

In a reported incident in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandla district, a 21-year-old man died while being transported in a government ambulance after the oxygen supply allegedly ran out midway. The young man, identified as Ajit Baraiya, was travelling from the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Bamhani to Mandla District Hospital for advanced treatment. His father, who was accompanying him in the ambulance, said he watched helplessly as his son struggled to breathe and died in his lap. The district administration has ordered a four-member inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death.

Baraiya, a resident of Sunhera Mal village under Bamhani police station limits, had been suffering from chronic kidney disease and was undergoing regular dialysis at Mandla District Hospital. Kidney failure often requires long-term treatment, and patients in rural areas depend on government healthcare facilities for routine procedures like dialysis. His condition had reportedly deteriorated on July 27, prompting his family to rush him to the local CHC.

At the CHC, doctors assessed his condition and placed him on oxygen support before referring him to the district hospital, which is better equipped to handle critical cases. The family said the ambulance left Bamhani with Ajit on oxygen. However, during the journey, the oxygen supply in the ambulance allegedly ran out. According to the father, the boy became breathless and died before the ambulance could reach Mandla.

Officials said the inquiry would examine not only the medical treatment provided to the patient but also the maintenance, functioning and operational protocols of the 108 ambulance service. This includes verifying whether mandatory checks of oxygen cylinders were carried out before the ambulance was dispatched. The inquiry panel is expected to look into every aspect of the ambulance’s preparedness and the response of the crew during the emergency.

The 108 ambulance service is a government-run emergency medical transport system operating in many Indian states, including Madhya Pradesh. It is designed to provide timely and safe transportation for patients from rural and remote areas to hospitals. The service typically includes basic life support equipment, such as oxygen cylinders, and trained staff. Lapses in these protocols can pose serious risks to patients, especially those in critical condition.

The family has alleged negligence on the part of the ambulance service, saying that a delay or failure in checking the oxygen supply cost a young life. The district administration has assured that the inquiry will be thorough and that appropriate action will be taken against those found responsible. No timeline for the completion of the inquiry has been announced yet.

This incident has also raised broader concerns about the reliability of emergency transport services in rural India, where distances to hospitals are often long and road conditions can be challenging. Ensuring that ambulances are properly equipped and staff are trained to handle emergencies is essential to prevent such tragedies in the future.