Medical negligence: A nine years old girl suffered snake bite died without anti-venom injection

In another gross medical negligence, a nine years old died in absence of proper treatment by a doctor of Baikhora primary hospital under South Tripura district, when on-duty doctor released her, who has suffered snake bite without admission and pushing anti-venom injection.

Sources said that due to the negligence of Dr. Randip Bhowmik, the in-charge physician of Baikhora Primary Health Centre, a 9-year-old girl named Ashmi Majumder died in the early hours of Monday.

On Sunday night, around 10 PM, Asmi Majumder, daughter of Sanjib Majumder from Charakbai Madhyapara, was taken to Baikhora Primary Health Centre. At that time, Dr. Randip Bhowmik was on emergency duty.

According to Ashmi’s family, something poisonous had bitten her on the leg. When informed, Dr. Randip Bhowmik prescribed a WBCT blood test, but there were no blood testing facilities at the hospital. Without admitting her, the doctor gave her three injections and sent her home. He also did not refer her to Santir Bazar District Hospital despite the condition of the girl starting deteriorating.

After returning home, when Ashmi’s skin color started changing, the family  again rushed her back to Baikhora Hospital. Only then was she referred to Santir Bazar District Hospital. After blood tests there, it was confirmed that Ashmi had indeed been bitten by something poisonous, and the venom had already spread into her bloodstream. Doctors at Santir Bazar administered anti-venom  injection and referred her to GBP Hospital, but after being reached at Agartala, Ashmi succumbed to her injuries and died.

Residents alleged that under the charge of Dr. Randip Bhowmik, the hospital is said to remain extremely unhygienic and dirty. Nurses are accused of misbehaving badly with patients.

While, the father of the victim girl, Sanjib Majumder alleged that his daughter died only for negligence by Dr Ranjib Bhowmik and if he pushed anti-venom injection time and did not release his daughter from hospital, she could have survived.

After the death of Ashmi, a pall of gloom descended at Baikhora’s  Charakbai area, and people have risen in protest against the responsibility of the on-duty doctor.