BHOPAL: A 21-year-old dialysis patient died inside an ambulance after its oxygen supply allegedly ran out while he was being taken to a district hospital in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandla district, prompting the health department to order an inquiry.The incident took place on July 27 in the tribal-dominated district. A video purportedly showing the patient inside the ambulance surfaced on social media on Friday.The deceased, Ajit Baraiya, was a resident of Sunhera Mal village under the Bamhani police station limits. According to officials, he had been undergoing regular dialysis at the district hospital.His family said his father had called an ambulance after his health deteriorated and he was taken to the Bamhani Community Health Centre. They alleged that despite having breathing difficulties, Ajit was not provided oxygen during the journey.After doctors referred him to the district hospital, he was placed on oxygen. However, the family claimed that the ambulance’s oxygen supply ran out while they were on the way, and Ajit died before reaching the hospital.Speaking to local reporters, the deceased man’s distraught father said, “My son died gasping for breath in the ambulance. The ambulance arrived one hour after we dialled for it, and the oxygen supply ran out 3 km into the journey to the Mandla district hospital, and he died before we could reach there.”Ajit would have survived had the oxygen been available throughout the journey, he said tearfully.A video circulating on social media shows the patient lying on a stretcher inside the ambulance while his father sits beside him.Following the incident, the district health department ordered an inquiry.Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr D J Mohanty said a four-member committee has been formed to investigate the matter.“The committee has been asked to submit its report at the earliest so that appropriate action can be taken against those found responsible,” Mohanty said.
