In a harrowing incident from Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, a couple was seen carrying their deceased sons on their shoulders over a distance of 15 kilometers. The tragic scene, captured on video, has highlighted severe shortcomings in the region’s healthcare infrastructure.
The video, shared by Vijay Wadettiwar, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, shows the unidentified couple trudging through a rain-soaked and muddy forest path while carrying the bodies of their two minor boys. The children, who were under ten years old, had died after a fever worsened rapidly.
According to Wadettiwar, the boys did not receive timely medical treatment, leading to their swift deterioration and eventual death. The absence of an ambulance forced the grieving parents to make the arduous journey on foot to their village, Pattigaon.
Wadettiwar criticized the local healthcare system and political leaders, including Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who is the Guardian Minister for Gadchiroli. He accused these leaders of failing to address the critical issues within the region’s healthcare services.
The Congress leader also pointed out the disconnect between government promises and ground realities. He urged political figures to visit Gadchiroli to witness the dire conditions faced by its residents.
This tragic event is not isolated. On September 1, a similar situation occurred in the Vidarbha region, where a pregnant tribal woman, Kavita A. Sakol, delivered a stillborn child at home after an ambulance failed to arrive in time. Sakol later succumbed to her condition, exacerbated by inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
Wadettiwar expressed frustration over the government’s neglect, suggesting that funds used for political campaigns could have been better spent on improving healthcare services, including ambulance availability.
Both incidents have sparked outrage on social media, yet there has been no official response from the government or local authorities as of now. These tragedies underscore the urgent need for reforms in Maharashtra’s healthcare system to prevent further loss of life.
Sekar Rao 
Nisham Ismail