Kundapur: Woman dies of snakebite at govt hospital, family alleges negligence


Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Jun 19: Days after drawing flak for refusing to admit a woman in labour due to unavailibilty of doctors, Kundapur government hospital is in the news again, for allegedly showing negligence in the treatment of a woman, this time resulting in death.

The patient, Vishalakshi Poojary (37) died of snakebite, allegedly due to negligence of the hospital staff.

Vishalakshi, a resident of Yojana Nagar, Byndoor was cooking in her house when a poisonous snake bit her hand at around 11.30 am on Monday June 19. A cloth was tied on the wound and she was brought to Byndoor government hospital. The doctor who examined her said that the hospital did not have suitable medicine for snakebite and asked her to be taken to Kundapur government hospital. He also gave her a letter addressed to the doctor at the Kundapur hospital.

She was then brought and admitted to Kundapur government hospital. Her relatives urged the medical staff to attend to her urgently as she needed immediate treatment. The relatives allege that she died as the staff failed to treat her on time.


Allegations false: Chief medical officer

Dr Udayashanker, chief medical officer in the hospital responding to the allegation said that Vishalakshi was brought to the hospital at 1.45 pm. "The doctor on duty has examined her. The police station also has been informed about it. The doctor has also called the lab for blood test. But the relatives took away Vishalakshi saying that they were admitter her to another hospital, but they returned with her at 3.45 pm. She had died in the meantime. The hospital staff did not neglect her," he said.

The deceased woman was very poor. Her husband does centering work. They have two children.


Suspension of doctor urged

Following Vishalakshi's death, leaders of different organizations held protests in the hospital, urging for suspension of doctors and staff who are alleged to have ignored the patient. They have also brought the matter to the notice of the deputy commissioner.

Tahsildar G M Borker and special tahsildar of Byndoor Kiran Gorayya came to the hospital on the orders of the deputy commissioner and spoke to the family of the deceased woman. The CCTV camera recordings are being examined.

The body has been sent to KMC hospital for post-mortem.

The police led by Kundapur inspector Nasir Hussain requested the people who had gathered inside the hospital premises to leave. When the protestors refused to budge, the police resorted to mild lathi charge.

Labour organization leader Venkatesh Koni, district labour forum president Ravi Shetty and others were present.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Raman, Manipal

    Thu, Jun 22 2017

    Private care has become expensive especially in Kundapur. Private Doctors and nursing homes charge like anything. Since there is no regulation by Goverment the doctors and hsopitals charge as they wish. So most ordinary people depend on goverment care. The goverment must make sure that facilities and medicines are available at all goverment hospitals. Otherwise poor people will suffer.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Wilson K B, Kundpaura Halkal

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    Lets us examine the facts before blaming anyone. If the Doctor is negligent they must face the punishment. On the other hand if the patient party has left themselves then Doctor should not be blamed. Hospital has CCTV and the images would provide vital clues in this incident. Snake bites have good medical treatment and couuld be treated well this modern day medicines and ventiltaory facilities. Let us exmaine the facts before blaming anyone. Kundpaur Goverment Hospital sadly was in the news for sending a pregnant lady away recently. I request CM Sidharmaiah to provide all facalities at Govt Hospital so that the poor should not suffer in anyway.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita, Germany

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    My mother used to keep at home the routes of GARUDA BERU.always.She used to say this route should be made powder on stone and with limetten juice given to the snakebite person.Never with milk or alcohol.We had a small plant at home of this route.also.she brought it from Ghats.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita, Germany

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    So sad.In India snakebite is very common.Thatswhy govt.hospitals and other hospitals should always keep ready antivenom sera .It is a part negligence I should say.Why first wait for blood test.? venomous snakebite has no time to wait for blood test.It is advisory take the blood and start immediately with treatment.One can notice the signs of a person how he/she works.They feel sleepy when venom is working.Dont allow patient to sleep,keep him always awake giving coffee or olden times they used to give pfeffer to bite.shouldnot give any alcohol Never ever.No sugar. .When they feel sweet ,it is venomous.when feel sharf ,slowly come back naturally with applied medicine.Village medicine too help.I feel very sorry to hear she didnt get medicie from any side.Here the woman was taken to piller to another piller.who will answer to her children?may her soul find peace in Heaven.Heartfelt sympathy to the family.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • FLORA DSOUZA, Kalmady - Jerimeri (Mumbai)

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    Very sad and very unexpected death of a young woman, a mother of two small Kids. Feeling very pity upon her. May her soul rest in peace..

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roshan Braganza, Mumbai

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    The poisonous snake bite is a serious issue and anti venom serums are not easily available . This issue needs a act itself , where government has to create a machinery where such injections can be manufactured or imported

    DisAgree [3] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Stan, Udupi/Dubai

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    May her soul rest in peace.Blaming anyone will not serve any purpose as she is dead and gone. Who cares for poor in India?.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • vibha, Mangaluru

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    It has become a very bad habit among people to blame doctor for death.
    doctors want to save life. but, it is not possible every time.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • sri_elder, Karkala

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    Hope this departed lady had insurance under Pradhan mantri scheme by 12 rupees and 330 rupees. In that case her children are eligible to get 4 lacs. Not sure if the state government pay some money to that poor family..

    DisAgree [4] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    Politicians are more dangerous ...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • sri_elder, Karkala

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    It is high time that all the government officials sent home on pink slip and do fresh recruitment for all the vacancies..
    Need of the hour..

    DisAgree [7] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • sharan, Mangalore

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    You are right.The facilities provided by the Gov't are inadequate.There's no point in having a set up with no scope to treat emergencies.The Gov't docs should get pink slip..that's the only way they will be safe from venom spewed at them by foolish public as you.Govt. can be blamed thereafter for negligence & not doctors.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santan Mascarenhas, Kinnigoli/Mumbai

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    Shame on our Health Dept. I heard from my relative that some 60 years back one company in Mulund had kept some anti venom injections in their first aid box with instructions to drivers to take the snake bite patient immediately to the nearest hospital along with the injection. It is shameful to note that in this 21st century, the hospitals do not have basic medicines with them. Why the doctors want a blood test ? He should have immediately administered anti venom injection. In Kinnigoli, Concetta hospital is always keeping this injection ready.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • janush, Mangalore

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    Blood test is required to check the blood clotting due to the snake venom which mixes with blood. It helps the doctors to get proper information the volume of poison in blood. Because the venom makes the blood clots in veins / kidneys and damages the whole system. As i had a snake bite (viper) 15 years ago im aware of this procedure.

    DisAgree Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santan Mascarenhas, Kinnigoli/Mumbai

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    Thank you for the information. I am told, people die within an hour after the bite of some snakes. Many hospitals give anti venom injection immediately, then go to check other things. About the blood test in Mangalore, my wife went to the best hospital for blood test, after taking her to lab, they started to search for the needle, that took 20 minutes. I do not disagree with you, but the snake bite has to be viewed as an urgent emegency.

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mangalurian, Mangaluru

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    Most people in India believe themselves to be experts in medicine and treatment. In many cases they even seek the help of unqualified self-claimed experts.

    Real doctors and the hospitals are the last resort.

    I have come across a few cases of snake-bites and people do not straightaway rush to doctors or hospitals.

    This case appears to be no different.

    Poison rapidly spreads through the blood to the rest of the body. Merely tying a piece of cloth to stop the flow of the poison usually is not effective.

    After all a doctor is not god. He/she can only do so much. Blaming the doctor, especially through protests, will not help the people.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • ahmed, mangalore

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    One of main reasons why medical personnel are unwilling to join and practice in rural setups and government hospitals is that government doesn't provides necessary basic essential drugs & equipments, while public expect doctors to do miracles!

    DisAgree Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Antony Fernandes, Kundapura/Bengaluru

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    RIP Vishalakshi. How a poisonous snake can enter the kitchen? Their house was not secured is it?

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Leslie, udupi

    Tue, Jun 20 2017

    Very unfortunate death...
    Can not blame the doctors...
    They always do their best...
    Also snake bite is a difficult case always...
    Doctors will be in a dilemma which antivenom to administer,,,
    People accompanying the patient must have all the information ready...
    Then doctors can do their best...
    No use in creating ruckus in peaceful hospital...
    RIP sister...
    Your holy time has come...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse


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