10-hour ambulance drive from Kerala to CMC to save week-old child

Sources revealed that George a resident of Kumbanaad in Kerala and who operated an internet kiosk admitted his wife Tina to a private hospital in Adoor for delivery.

After delivery of a girl child, doctors said that the infant suffered from a spinal problem which could not be treated in Kerala and hence they suggested that they get their child treated at CMC Vellore.

Their e-pass applications for the trip were turned down twice and hence George in desperation contacted former Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy who in turn got in touch with Tami Nadu Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar, who promised to do the needful.

The parents and the minister both alerted CMC about the infant’s arrival while the minister also ensured issue of an e-pass.

Starting at 10pm on Thursday, the ambulance covered the 650-kilometre distance in 10 hours reaching CMC Vellore at 8am the next day. Enroute at the Pallikonda toll plaza, officials cleared a route specially for the ambulance by diverting vehicles to other lanes.

Waiting doctors immediately started procedures to treat the child while ambulance driver Surad Mathew was praised for his driving skills.