The Virangana Laxmibai Jhansi railway station in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday witnessed the delivery of a baby after a pregnant woman went into unexpected labour on the platform.
With less time on hand, the railway women staff secured the area. 31-year-old Major Rohit Bachwala, who was waiting for his train to Hyderabad, noticed the woman in severe pain.
The woman was travelling from Panvel to Barabanki with her husband and child in Panvel-Gorakhpur Express 15066. Her husband had made an SOS to the railway for medical assistance, and the family was deboarded at the Jhansi station, a report in TOI added.
Without thinking, Rohit quickly went to help the woman with his knowledge and tools at his disposal – a pocket knife and hair clips. A dhoti was brought to cover the delivery area and the staff also provided the doctor with gloves for a safe medical procedure.
The woman and her newborn were then sent to a nearby hospital after the successful delivery.
“The mother and the newborn were stable post-delivery. An ambulance was arranged to transport them to a nearby hospital for further care,” Major Rohit told TOI over phone.
“A woman TTE was taking the pregnant woman for medical assistance on a wheelchair. As she was brought out of lift on a footover bridge, the pregnant lady screamed in pain. I rushed towards her and with whatever resources I had helped her deliver the baby,” he added.
The Indian Army praised Maj Rohit and said, “Today, an Army doctor, Major Rohit, of Military Hospital, Jhansi, successfully conducted childbirth at the railway station in Jhansi. The doctor present at the station responded swiftly when a pregnant woman went into unexpected labour on the platform. Without any delay and using minimal resources, the Army doctor ensured safe delivery, providing vital medical assistance in a challenging environment. Both the mother and newborn were reported to be in stable condition due to he timely intervention.”
Major Rohit is the son of a former Indian Air Force personnel.
In a statement, the Jhansi division of North Central Railway said, “Railways was informed about the pregnant woman passenger, who had sought medical assistance through the Rail Madad app. Promtly, the Jhansi control room was activated and a team was quickly prepared for medical assistance. As soon as the train reached Veerangana Laxmibai Jhansi station, the female passenger was attended to by a railway medical team and railway ticket checking staff.”