A 42-year-old pregnant tribal woman died on Saturday evening without timely medical attention. She breathed her last as she was transferred to the nearest region government hospital from Gurtedu Primary Health Center (PHC) in Rampachodavaram branch of East Godavari district.

The incident broke out on Sunday. The victim was pregnant for the seventh time. She had been blessed with six children.

According to the victim’s family, Vantala Tulasamma died in an ambulance in Uppara Gothula area while being transferred from Gurthedu PHC. She had to travel 32 km to get to Rampacodavaram Regional Hospital. Mrs. Tulasamma belonged to Dummanagedda village in Y. Ramavaram mandal under the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA-Rampachodavaram).

Praveen Adithya, ITDA-Rampachodavaram Project Manager, said The Hindu: “A preliminary investigation into the case established the negligence of PHC-Gurtedu Mecial Officer P. Sankara Narayana, who was on duty but physically absent from the PHC on Saturday. Sankara Narayana’s negligence was found in many instances earlier.”

Mr. Praveen Adithya served a show cause notice on Sankara Narayana, who is under contract.

“Serious action is proposed against Sankara Narayana. A new doctor will be appointed to PHC-Gurtedu within a few days,” he added.