Deliveries in the emergency van have happened several times prior to Monday’s incident in Hyderabad, says 108 services medical technician. “We are completely ready for such cases,” mentioned Bhumachander, who hails from Karimnagar district.

When 28-year-old Bhumachander, a 108 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), received a call on Monday afternoon to attend to a pregnant woman, he had no inkling that more than the regular emergency trip to the hospital was awaiting him.

“That we (Bhumachander, and driver Narsaiah) would have to perform the delivery in the emergency van itself was clear 10 minutes after we set off from the Nampally railway station yard,” he recalled. The duo reached the area at around 4 p.m. after receiving a call from a railway officer.

He said the entire operation took about 20 minutes after the woman, Sarda, had gone into labour.

Bhumchander said Sarda was about 40 years old and hailed from Gujarat. “She did not give us any details about herself, but told us that she had travelled alone to Hyderabad. After the delivery, we admitted her to Niloufer Hospital,” he said.

Surprisingly, the EMT said such instances are not rare at all!

“I have helped deliver babies in the car four or five times. The last time, it was near Falaknuma,” he said, and further stated that the emergency vans are complete with all the necessary medical tools required for the task.

“We are completely ready for such cases,” mentioned Bhumachander, who hails from Karimnagar district.

Bhumachander pointed out that other EMTs like him who are in-charge of other areas in the city have also come across instances where they have to assist in delivering babies.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Yunus Y. Lasania / Hyderabad – October 29th, 2014