The Longding District Congress Committee (LDCC) has lamented the death of a pregnant woman in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh due to lack of access to healthcare.

LDCC president Pulai Naam said the woman, a resident of Kamhua Noknu village under Khakam Block of Pongchau circle, died recently during delivery.

“She died because of the non-functioning of the primary health centre in the village and deplorable condition of the road that prevented healthcare workers from reaching in time and providing medical aid,” Naam said.

Two other pregnant women in the village died because of similar reasons earlier, locals said.

“The PHC was inaugurated formally a few years ago, however, it has no staff and basic amenities. Earth-cutting for the road to the village was done long ago but is not usable by vehicles for medical emergencies,” Naam said.

The LDCC blamed local MLA and rural works minister Honchun Ngandam for the lack of development in villages under Khakam Block leading to maternity-related deaths.

It also said the people have been regretting their decision to choose the “wrong legislator”.

“It is clearly evident that the public representative is unfit to serve his people in all aspects. He should resign on moral ground,” Naam said.

The LDCC said there are four roads linking the villages under Khakam Block but all are incomplete and in a pathetic condition.

There could be more deaths of pregnant women and others if surface connectivity in the block is not improved, it added.

“We request the government to look into this issue at the earliest,” the LDCC said in a statement.

Ngandam could not be contacted for his comments.

Damien Lepcha is Northeast Now Correspondent in Arunachal Pradesh. He can be reached at: lepcharaul@gmail.com