1 week ago
Family Blames Rajasthan Hospital’s Snakebite Drug Shortage for Farmer’s Death
Taravati Devi was a 67-year-old farmer in Rajasthan.
She was bitten by a snake while working in her fields.
Her family took her to a government hospital in Chirawa.
The family says the hospital did not have the medicine needed for snakebites and did not properly treat her.
They wrote to India’s prime minister and Rajasthan’s chief minister asking for help.
A health official said the medicine was available and that Taravati received it.
However, her referral document does not mention that medicine, and unnamed sources said the supply had run out.
The disagreement has raised questions about whether rural hospitals have enough medicine and trained staff for emergencies.
Taravati Devi, a 67-year-old farmer from Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district, died after a snakebite on August 1.
Her family alleges Chirawa Sub-District Hospital lacked anti-snake venom and failed to follow recommended snakebite-treatment procedures.
The family has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma seeking action and reliable treatment supplies.
A Rajasthan health official said anti-snake venom was available and had been administered before Devi was referred to BDK Hospital.
The referral card reviewed by The Statesman does not mention anti-snake venom, while anonymous sources said supplies had run out before Devi arrived.
- Who
- Taravati Devi, her family, Rajasthan health authorities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.
- What
- The family has alleged that hospital negligence and a lack of anti-snake venom contributed to Taravati Devi’s death after a snakebite.
- Where
- Chirawa Sub-District Hospital in Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan, before Devi was referred to BDK Hospital.
- When
- Taravati Devi died after being bitten on August 1; the family’s letters refer to India’s 80th Independence Day.
- Why
- The family says the hospital lacked anti-snake venom, did not follow recommended procedures, and did not clearly warn patients about treatment limitations.
Family and Villagers’ Allegations
Rajasthan Health Department’s Account
Availability of anti-snake venom
Family and Villagers’ Allegations
The family says Chirawa Sub-District Hospital did not have anti-snake venom when Taravati Devi was admitted. Two anonymous sources, including one from the hospital, said supplies had run out a few hours earlier.
Rajasthan Health Department’s Account
Dr Ravi Prakash said anti-snake venom was readily available at the hospital and that it was administered to Devi.
Quality of treatment
Family and Villagers’ Allegations
The family alleges staff did not follow recommended precautions for snakebite treatment and were not properly trained to handle such cases.
Rajasthan Health Department’s Account
The health department’s account says Devi received anti-snake venom and was referred to BDK Hospital after developing other complications; it does not directly address each alleged procedural failure.
Evidence of treatment
Family and Villagers’ Allegations
The family points to Devi’s referral card, which does not mention anti-snake venom being administered.
Rajasthan Health Department’s Account
Dr Prakash maintained that the medicine was administered, though he later stopped responding to The Statesman’s queries.
Key facts
- Victim
- Taravati Devi, 67, a farmer from Sehikalan village in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district.
- Reported incident
- She was bitten by a snake while working on her farmland and died after being taken to hospital.
- Hospital
- Chirawa Sub-District Hospital, described as serving more than 200 surrounding villages and four smaller tehsils.
- Medicine at issue
- Anti-snake venom, or ASV, used to treat snakebite victims.
- Family’s allegation
- The hospital lacked ASV, failed to follow recommended initial-treatment precautions, and had no clear notice about the lack of treatment.
- Health department’s account
- Dr Ravi Prakash said ASV was available at the hospital and had been administered before Devi was referred for other complications.
- Documentary discrepancy
- The referral card accessed by The Statesman does not show or mention that ASV was administered.
Quotes
Family of Taravati Devi
Relatives of Taravati Devi who wrote to the prime minister and Rajasthan chief minister.
“Farmers have to work in the fields alongside snakes, and in such circumstances, snakebite incidents are bound to occur. But how long will this cycle of farmers losing their lives due to the unavailability of medicines continue? Please do something,”
thestatesman.com
“We are celebrating our 80th Independence Day, and claim that India has saved lives abroad by sending medicines there…but if, in our own country, a life is lost due to lack of medicine, how painful that would be…?”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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