Pregnant tribal woman, missing for 10 days over fear of hospitalisation, returns home in Erode

A 25-year-old pregnant woman, Shevanthi, of Solagar Dhoddi in the Thalavadi Hills, who had been untraceable for the past 10 days fearing hospitalisation for delivery, returned home on Friday (July 18, 2025).

Her return followed persistent efforts and intervention by S. Kannaiyan, president of the Thalavadi Farmers’ Foundation, who counselled her family on the importance of institutional delivery and assured them of support.

Ms. Shevanthi, whose delivery was initially scheduled for July 7, 2025, had earlier refused hospital admission despite repeated appeals from a health team comprising doctors Senthil Kumar and Vishnu and village health nurse P. Jothi. According to her relatives, she was afraid of institutional delivery and had taken shelter elsewhere, saying she would return once labour pain began. A complaint was lodged with the Thalavadi police after both Ms. Shevanthi and her husband Chandran went missing and their mobile phones remained switched off.

On Thursday, Mr. Kannaiyan visited their home and met Mr. Chandran’s mother, Nagiyamma, and sister, Madevi. He explained the risks associated with home delivery — a common preference among tribal women in the region — and assured them that he would personally accompany Ms. Shevanthi to the hospital. After over an hour of discussion, the family agreed to bring her back.

On Friday, Mr. Kannaiyan met Ms. Shevanthi and her family again and reassured them. Ms. Madevi later alleged that a police officer had threatened the family with legal action if Ms. Shevanthi did not return, which caused distress. The officer later apologised for the same over the phone.

Following this, the family consented to a hospital visit, and the health team was alerted. Doctors visited her home, checked her blood pressure, and took her to the Government Upgraded Primary Health Centre in Thalavadi around 11:30 a.m. for further examination. After the check-up, doctors advised immediate admission as labour could begin at any time. However, Ms. Shevanthi and Ms. Madevi insisted they would return only once the labour pain started. As they remained firm, they were dropped back home around 1:30 p.m.

Family’s apprehension

Ms. Nagiyamma told The Hindu that one of her daughters had suffered post-partum haemorrhage during a previous delivery, which left the family apprehensive. This fear, she said, had prompted her daughter-in-law to temporarily stay at a relative’s house in Gundlupet taluk, Karnataka. “We heard from other women that hospital deliveries are often complicated. That fear persisted,” she said.

Ms. Shevanthi said she had recently undergone a scan at a hospital in Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, where she was given a delivery date of July 27. “Since there is no labour pain yet, I stayed at the relative’s house,” she added.

When asked about the discrepancy in the due dates, a health department staff member clarified that the July 7 date was based on a previous scan report. Deputy Director of Health Services P. Aruna could not be reached for comment.