Shivamogga: In a heartbreaking incident on Thursday evening, a 3 1/2 month old infant being rushed under a green corridor (zero-traffic) arrangement passed away just as medical staff prepared to begin emergency treatment in Shivamogga city.The deceased infant was identified as Anvika, daughter of Hanumesh and Pavitra, residents of Yelburga in Koppal district. The mother delivered the baby girl at her maternal home in Harihara, Davanagere district. Recently while staying there, the baby contracted a high fever and severe phlegm congestion. She was initially admitted to Bapuji Hospital in Davanagere. When her oxygen saturation levels dropped and her condition deteriorated rapidly, doctors advised shifting her to KMC Manipal Hospital in Udupi district in an emergency ambulance for specialised care.To ensure uninterrupted travel, police departments across Davanagere, Shivamogga and Udupi districts coordinated with traffic personnel under the guidance of Davanagere SP to clear a zero-traffic corridor. However, delays hit the ambulance en route between Honnali and Nyamathi when one of the vehicle’s tyres blew out after a screw punctured it. Nyamathi is located 31 km from Shivamogga city. The zero-traffic escort team and ambulance staff quickly worked together to replace the wheel with a spare, but the 20-minute delay caused the child’s respiratory distress to worsen severely.Given the critical drop in oxygen levels, ambulance paramedic Shrikanth and the infant’s family decided to divert her to Sarji Mother and Child Hospital in Shivamogga for immediate stabilisation instead of continuing the long journey to Manipal, which is located 141 km away.Alerted in advance, medical teams at Sarji Hospital had emergency protocols ready upon arrival. Tragically, despite the rapid response and the intense efforts of the police, paramedics and medical staff, baby Anvika breathed her last just as treatment was initiated.Late Thursday night, the family transported their daughter’s body back to their hometown.Speaking to TOI, head of Sarji hospitals and BJP MLC Dr Dhananjaya Sarji said the baby had viral pneumonia and suspected that a secondary bacterial infection must have developed. He said it would have been best if they continued the treatment at Davanagere. Dr Sarji, who is also a well-known paediatrician, said shifting that baby was not a good decision.
