By Shankar Raj*
Thiruvananthapuram: A 37-year-old passenger and a mother of five children delivered a baby girl on a state transport (KSRTC) bus plying in Thrissur district. As luck would have it, she went into labour just as the bus had crossed a multi-specialty hospital on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
It was the presence of mind of the driver and conductor that saved the mother and child. The conductor informed the driver that a passenger was facing labour pain and the driver immediately took a U-turn and drove the bus to Amala Hospital which he had crossed.
But before the bus could reach the hospital, the delivery took place. Two women passengers helped in the delivery.
The conductor informed the hospital in advance and an expert team of gynecologists and nurses was ready in front of the hospital. The baby was shifted to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and the mother was put under observation.
The lady was identified as Serina who was nine months pregnant and was on her way to a hospital in Malappuram in north Kerala.
The health of Serina and the newborn is reportedly stable.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar sent gifts to the newborn baby and the mother.
“It was a first-of-a-kind experience for us. Both the mother and baby are healthy and happy,” said Joseph Varghese, PRO, Amala Hospital.
*Shankar Raj is a former editor of The New Indian Express, Karnataka and Kerala, and writes regularly on current affairs.
