Guwahati, 14th June: Rajani Das, a 55-year-old resident of West Kathalmuri in Bajali, tragically succumbed to a venomous snakebite despite medical intervention at Pathsala Medical. The incident unfolded at 7:30 am as Das was retrieving an egg from a hen’s nest on his farm.
Following the snakebite, Das was rushed to Pathsala Medical where doctors administered a pain relief injection and monitored his vital signs, assuring the family that his condition was stable. However, as his symptoms worsened—his eyes closing and speech slurring—the family insisted on transferring him to Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Hospital in Barpeta.
Critically, Das did not receive antivenom during his 2-hour and 20-minute stay at Pathsala Medical, where the injection provided was solely for pain relief, not for countering the venom. By the time he arrived at Barpeta Medical, it was too late to save him, as confirmed by medical staff there.
The family has alleged medical negligence at Pathsala Medical, claiming that timely and appropriate treatment could have potentially saved Das’s life. They emphasized that the decision to transfer him to Barpeta was made only after their persistent requests, not on the doctor’s initial advice.
Das’s son lamented, “My father was bitten while fetching an egg from the farm. At Pathsala Medical, despite worsening symptoms, they delayed administering antivenom. We had to plead for his transfer to Barpeta, where he tragically passed away. The doctors confirmed it was too late.”
The incident has sparked outrage in the community, highlighting concerns over emergency medical care and response protocols in such critical situations.
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