3 hrs ago
NHRC Seeks Reports After Snakebite Death At UP Hospital
A young person in Uttar Pradesh was bitten by a poisonous snake.
The complaint says he was taken quickly to a district hospital in Chitrakoot.
It alleges that the hospital did not have important treatments or equipment, including anti-snake venom and intensive-care support.
The youth was sent to Prayagraj but reportedly died while traveling there.
The National Human Rights Commission is examining the complaint.
It has asked every state and Union Territory to report on the availability of snakebite medicine.
It also wants authorities to find places where snakebites are common but medical services are not properly mapped.
Officials must submit a report about their actions within two weeks.
The National Human Rights Commission issued notices to all states and Union Territories after a complaint about a youth’s alleged snakebite-related death at a Chitrakoot district hospital.
The complaint alleges the hospital lacked anti-snake venom, ventilator or intensive-care support, and timely emergency treatment.
The youth was reportedly referred to Prayagraj without adequate emergency transit support and died en route, according to the complaint.
The NHRC said the allegations prima facie appeared to involve violations of the victim’s human rights.
The Commission ordered an inquiry and requested action taken reports within two weeks, while seeking steps to improve snakebite care nationwide.
- Who
- The National Human Rights Commission acted on a complaint concerning a youth who allegedly died after a snakebite; NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo presided over the bench.
- What
- The NHRC issued notices to all state governments and Union Territory administrations and ordered an inquiry into alleged medical negligence and inadequate emergency facilities.
- Where
- The alleged incident occurred at a district hospital in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh, after the snakebite in Khandeha village; the youth was reportedly referred to Prayagraj.
- When
- The proceedings were dated September 1, and the report was issued on September 8; authorities were given two weeks to submit action taken reports.
- Why
- The complaint alleged delayed treatment and a lack of anti-snake venom, ventilator or intensive-care support, potentially violating the victim’s human rights.
Key facts
- Authority
- National Human Rights Commission
- Incident location
- District hospital in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh
- Reported emergency
- Snakebite in Khandeha village
- Alleged deficiencies
- Anti-snake venom, ventilator or intensive-care support, and emergency transit support
- NHRC action
- Notice to all states and Union Territory administrations
- Reporting deadline
- Action taken reports requested within two weeks
- Legal basis
- Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
Quotes
NHRC proceedings
Official proceedings issued by the National Human Rights Commission
“a youth died due to severe medical negligence, delay in treatment, and a total lack of emergency life-saving infrastructure at the district hospital in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh, after being bitten by a poisonous snake in Khandeha village”
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“The registry is directed to issue a notice to all the chief secretaries of all states/UTs, detailed steps taken to ensure the mandatory availability of anti-snake venom (ASV) in all remote and snakebite-prone areas”
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