Snake bite victims dies at MCH

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When Kumari, a resident of Kulathoor, was bitten by a snake, she had the presence of mind to kill the snake which bit her and take it along to the Medical College Hospital, where she sought treatment. But what she had not bargained for was the total indifference of the Medical College authorities, which ultimately resulted in Kumari’s death.P K Raju, a member of the Hospital Development Committee of the SAT Hospital, has given a complaint to the Human Rights Commission against the Secretary of Health Department, Managing Director of Kerala Health Research Welfare Society, Medical College Principal and Superintendent in this regard. ‘’Kumari’s husband Girishan had remitted ` 665 at the Medical College for the blood tests. They waited for two hours and yet no blood tests were done. Finally, they returned the money and by the time the blood was tested at the HDS lab, a lot of valuable time was lost,’’ explained Raju. The toxin had by then affected the brain and kidney of the patient. The treatment started only after this, alleged her husband Girishan. Kumari did not respond to medication and finally succumbed in the wee hours of Tuesday. Kumari is survived by two children, both girls. It was Kumari who looked after the family, including an ailing husband. However, Dr Viswanathan, deputy superintendent of the Medical College Hospital, said that Dr Padmakumar, who was the unit chief on that particular day, had denied any delay in giving treatment to the patient. ‘’When the patient was tested, the clotting factors were all normal. The treatment was started when the clotting factors started showing abnormalities. She was also given dialysis on Saturday and Sunday, to which the patient did not respond,’’ said Dr Viswanathan.  The complaint to the Human Rights Commission flayed the Medical College Superintendent and the Health Secretary for not taking necessary actions when such negligence was pointed out repeatedly many times before.