Ambulances in the 'unknown hills' of Chhattisgarh - in pictures

  • A motorbike ambulance, a two-wheeler with a sidecar, on its way to a pregnant woman in Kodoli, a remote village in India's Chhattisgarh state. All photos by AP
    A motorbike ambulance, a two-wheeler with a sidecar, on its way to a pregnant woman in Kodoli, a remote village in India's Chhattisgarh state. All photos by AP
  • Phagni Poyam, who is nine months pregnant, looks on as driver Sukhram Vadde removes boulders from a riverbed near Kodoli so the ambulance can pass
    Phagni Poyam, who is nine months pregnant, looks on as driver Sukhram Vadde removes boulders from a riverbed near Kodoli so the ambulance can pass
  • The motorbike ambulances try to reach inaccessible villages to bring pregnant women and very sick people to an early referral centre
    The motorbike ambulances try to reach inaccessible villages to bring pregnant women and very sick people to an early referral centre
  • Villagers carrying a sick man cross a stream through Abhujmarh, or 'the unknown hills,' to the nearest health centre, about 20km away
    Villagers carrying a sick man cross a stream through Abhujmarh, or 'the unknown hills,' to the nearest health centre, about 20km away
  • Health workers help heavily pregnant Ms Poyam with her child, as they try to reach the health centre
    Health workers help heavily pregnant Ms Poyam with her child, as they try to reach the health centre
  • Mr Vadde, left, gets help to dig a steep riverbank to make a route for his motorbike ambulance
    Mr Vadde, left, gets help to dig a steep riverbank to make a route for his motorbike ambulance
  • Lata Netam, a health worker, pushes the ambulance carrying Phagni Poyam and her son
    Lata Netam, a health worker, pushes the ambulance carrying Phagni Poyam and her son
  • Ms Netam unsuccessfully tries to push the motorbike ambulance up a steep riverbank
    Ms Netam unsuccessfully tries to push the motorbike ambulance up a steep riverbank
  • Chhattisgarh state has one of the highest rates of pregnancy-related deaths in India
    Chhattisgarh state has one of the highest rates of pregnancy-related deaths in India
  • Since the ambulances were first used in 2014 the number of babies born in hospitals has doubled to a yearly average of about 162
    Since the ambulances were first used in 2014 the number of babies born in hospitals has doubled to a yearly average of about 162
  • Tribal women walk back to their villages through Abhujmarh after visiting a weekly market in Chhattisgarh state
    Tribal women walk back to their villages through Abhujmarh after visiting a weekly market in Chhattisgarh state