Sabroom , Aug 25, 2024, Tapan Roy/ TT Desk

Sabroom, Aug 25: While countless people are joining hands in serving the humanity and helping others during this difficult time of flood crisis in Tripura, Kartamala Tripura, an ASHA worker from a remote village in South Tripura district, stood different for her exemplary act in helping a pregnant woman safely deliver the baby.

It was a typical monsoon evening on August 23 in Harbatli village of Sabroom, when 27-year-old Shimla Tripura found herself in labor pain when the entire area was submerged due to heavy flooding. While there was no scope for transporting the woman to hospital due to the flood, the mobile network was also not available—the village had been facing a serious challenge with no way for communication.

The situation seemed hopeless until Kartamala Tripura, an ASHA worker in the isolated village, heard about the crisis. Without a second thought, she managed to reach Shimla’s home braving the floodwater with a determination to extend help despite her limited experience in deliveries.

The night was full of struggle for both the pregnant woman and the ASHA worker and all others present at the scene. Finally, the cries of a newborn baby boy broke the tense silence, offering a sense of relief to everyone in the room.

But just as quickly as that relief came, it vanished. Shimla began to bleed heavily—a complication that Kartamala knew could turn fatal if not addressed immediately.

As the hours ticked by, Shimla’s condition worsened. The tiny room was filled with the heavy air of helplessness, with the villagers praying fervently for a miracle. With every passing minute, Shimla grew weaker.

By the afternoon of August 24, it became clear that something had to be done. Shimla’s family made the brave decision to carry her on their shoulders through the treacherous terrain, hoping to reach the main road at Manughat. The journey was a four-hour trek.

Finally, at 8 pm, they reached Shyamsingh village, where they managed to get in touch with the sub-divisional administration with help of a local youth. The response was immediate. By 9:30 pm, DCM Ratan Das reached out to the lady, and by midnight, a disaster response team arrived by boat to evacuate her.

It was 3 am when Shimla was admitted to Sabroom Sub-Divisional Hospital. The doctors worked swiftly, stabilizing her condition, but it was clear that she needed more specialized care.

The new mother developed anaemia due to the blood loss, and although her newborn son was healthy, both mother and child were referred to the Santirbazar District Hospital for further treatment.

In a compassionate gesture, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shiv Jyoti Dutta provided the family with Rs. 3,000 out of his own pocket, knowing they had no money to pay for the emergency care.

Kartamala Tripura’s courageous actions in the face of overwhelming odds saved two lives that night. Her story is a poignant reminder of the vital role that Asha workers play in rural India, often going above and beyond their call of duty to serve those in need.