MANDLA (MADHYA PRADESH) — A harrowing incident highlighting critical lapses in emergency medical services has come to light from Madhya Pradesh’s tribal-dominated Mandla district, where a helpless father watched his 21-year-old son die inside a government ambulance after the vehicle's medical oxygen supply was exhausted midway through the journey.

According to a report published by ETV Bharat, the victim has been identified as Ajit Baraiya, a resident of Sunhera Mal village under the jurisdiction of the Bamhani police station. Baraiya, who suffered from severe health issues, was undergoing regular dialysis at the district hospital.

Gasping for Breath Mid-Journey

The tragic sequence of events unfolded on July 27 when Ajit's health deteriorated rapidly at home. His father immediately placed a call to the emergency ambulance service to transport him to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Bamhani.

The family alleged that the ambulance arrived an hour after being called. Despite Ajit experiencing severe respiratory distress during the drive to the CHC, emergency staff inside the ambulance reportedly denied him oxygen support during the initial leg. Upon arrival at the Bamhani CHC, attending doctors administered oxygen support to stabilize the youth and immediately referred him to the Mandla District Hospital for advanced care.

However, disaster struck barely three kilometers into the journey to the district hospital when the ambulance’s onboard oxygen cylinder completely ran out.

Recounting the heartbreaking moments, the victim's father stated to local reporters through tears, "My son died gasping for breath right in my lap inside the ambulance. The vehicle took an hour to reach us, and then the oxygen ran out just 3 km into our journey to the district hospital. He would have been alive today if oxygen had been provided continuously."

Video Triggers Public Outrage; Inquiry Ordered

A video capturing the agonizing moments surfaced on social media, showing the young patient lying unresponsive on a stretcher inside the ambulance with his grief-stricken father by his side. The viral footage sparked intense public backlash over healthcare mismanagement in rural region.

Taking swift cognizance of the matter, local health authorities launched a probe into the systemic failures leading to the tragedy. Mandla Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. D.J. Mohanty confirmed that a formal investigation has been instituted.

"A four-member inquiry committee has been constituted following the report of the incident," Dr. Mohanty stated. "The panel has been instructed to submit its detailed report at the earliest so that strict administrative and disciplinary action can be taken against anyone found guilty of negligence."