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HINDUSTAN TIMES (New Delhi, India) 06 June 06 Docs’ laxity deadlier than snake bite
A couple bitten by snake died this morning after doctors on emergency duty at Balrampur hospital refused to administer treatment to them on Tuesday morning. Those who took the patient said doctors did not admitted the patient saying that they don’t have anti-venom medicines. Later, the couple succumbed, alleged their kin.
The relatives claim that the hospital has treatment as well as the anti-venom vaccine. But, the doctors on duty deliberately refused to admit the patient.
However, the chief medical superintendent dismissed the allegations saying that the lady was brought dead. And hence she cannot be admitted. However, he clarified that a show cause notice has been issued to the doctors on duty.
The deceased Umesh and Rekha were putting up at a vacant plot in the Gomti Nagar area. Last night a poisonous snake bit the couple. According to a neighbour, Rekha’s condition started deteriorating fast and she was rushed to Balrampur hospital around 4 am.
The doctors on duty declared the patient brought dead. But those accompanying Rekha refuted doctor’s claim.
They said that Rekha was not dead and she died later in the day. According to chief medical superintendent Dr GK Tripathi, the allegations levelled by the family members are not true. The doctors on duty attended the patient and it was found that she was already dead. The doctor advised them to report the matter to the police but the patients’ kin took them away.
Meanwhile, the condition of her husband also started deteriorating. And the family members rushed Umesh to Civil hospital. Umesh too died later in the day.
Docs’ laxity deadlier than snake bite

TIMES OF INDIA (New Delhi) 08 June 06 Notice to probe death of snake-bitten couple
Lucknow: The Balrampur Hospital authorities on Wednesday issued show cause notices to all those on duty at the animal-bite treatment department demanding reasons as to why the snake bitten couple was not admitted to the hospital on Tuesday. The notice also warned suspension for laxity in patient-care which caused death of the couple.
Meanwhile, the authorities directed to maintain a stock of anti-rabies vaccine and snake-bite antidotes in the emergency and out patient department (OPD).
It was further directed that the emergency medical officers would be responsible to provide treatment to patients bitten by an animal or snakes.
According to chief medical superintendent (CMS) of Balrampur Hospital Dr GK Tripathi, "It was not clear why the patients were not admitted to the hospital.
While the doctors said that lower staff hushed them off, the pharmacists, ward boys and attendants claimed that they had admitted the patients but the doctors did not attend."
It may be noted that a couple— Umesh and Rekha — were brought to the hospital for treatment after being bitten by a snake at their Gomtinagar based plot in the early hours on Tuesday.
Rekha's condition deteriorated within minutes and she was rushed to the hospital at around 4 am where she died. While the attendants alleged that the woman died due to negligence, the doctors said that she was brought dead.
Notice to probe death of snake-bitten couple