Pregnant tribal lady, lacking for 10 days over concern of hospital supply, returns residence in Erode

A 25-year-old pregnant lady, Shevanthi, of Solagar Dhoddi within the Thalavadi Hills, who had been untraceable for the previous 10 days fearing hospitalisation for supply, returned residence on Friday (July 18, 2025).

Her return adopted persistent efforts and intervention by S. Kannaiyan, president of the Thalavadi Farmers’ Foundation, who counselled her household on the significance of institutional supply and warranted them of help.

Ms. Shevanthi, whose supply was initially scheduled for July 7, 2025, had earlier refused hospital admission regardless of repeated appeals from a well being workforce comprising medical doctors Senthil Kumar and Vishnu and village well being nurse P. Jothi. According to her family, she was afraid of institutional supply and had taken shelter elsewhere, saying she would return as soon as labour ache started. A criticism was lodged with the Thalavadi police after each Ms. Shevanthi and her husband Chandran went lacking and their cell phones remained switched off.

On Thursday, Mr. Kannaiyan visited their residence and met Mr. Chandran’s mom, Nagiyamma, and sister, Madevi. He defined the dangers related to residence supply — a standard desire amongst tribal ladies within the area — and warranted them that he would personally accompany Ms. Shevanthi to the hospital. After over an hour of dialogue, the household agreed to convey her again.

On Friday, Mr. Kannaiyan met Ms. Shevanthi and her household once more and reassured them. Ms. Madevi later alleged {that a} police officer had threatened the household with authorized motion if Ms. Shevanthi didn’t return, which triggered misery. The officer later apologised for a similar over the telephone.

Following this, the household consented to a hospital go to, and the well being workforce was alerted. Doctors visited her residence, checked her blood stress, and took her to the Government Upgraded Primary Health Centre in Thalavadi round 11:30 a.m. for additional examination. After the check-up, medical doctors suggested speedy admission as labour might start at any time. However, Ms. Shevanthi and Ms. Madevi insisted they’d return solely as soon as the labour ache began. As they remained agency, they have been dropped again residence round 1:30 p.m.

Family’s apprehension

Ms. Nagiyamma instructed The Hindu that one in all her daughters had suffered post-partum haemorrhage throughout a earlier supply, which left the household apprehensive. This concern, she mentioned, had prompted her daughter-in-law to briefly keep at a relative’s home in Gundlupet taluk, Karnataka. “We heard from different ladies that hospital deliveries are sometimes difficult. That concern continued,” she mentioned.

Ms. Shevanthi mentioned she had just lately undergone a scan at a hospital in Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, the place she was given a supply date of July 27. “Since there isn’t a labour ache but, I stayed on the relative’s home,” she added.

When requested concerning the discrepancy within the due dates, a well being division workers member clarified that the July 7 date was based mostly on a earlier scan report. Deputy Director of Health Services P. Aruna couldn’t be reached for remark.