Jagatsinghpur: Chaos erupted at the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Jagatsinghpur on Monday after a woman bitten by a snake was wrongly diagnosed as a dog bite victim and prescribed an anti-rabies injection, sparking protests from her family and locals.
Incorrect Diagnosis Sparks Outrage
The victim, 35-year-old Lovarani Raul of Sanpur village, was collecting grass in a paddy field when she was bitten by a snake. She was rushed to the Jagatsinghpur DHH for immediate treatment. However, in a serious lapse, the attending doctor mistakenly recorded the case as a “dog bite” in her medical report and prescribed an anti-rabies injection.
Pharmacist Raises Alarm
Raul approached the local drug distribution centre to obtain the prescribed medication. The pharmacist, suspecting inconsistencies, questioned the nature of the bite. Upon learning that Raul had been bitten by a snake—not a dog—the pharmacist immediately reported the issue to the doctor.
The doctor corrected the prescription to indicate a snake bite but allegedly failed to recommend standard procedures, such as a blood test, anti-venom treatment, or specialist consultation.
Locals Stage Protest, Officials Intervene
News of the blunder quickly spread, leading to public outrage. Locals staged a protest at the hospital, demanding strict action against the doctor for medical negligence.
Senior health officials, including Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Satrughan Dash, rushed to the hospital and held an emergency meeting. Another doctor was immediately assigned to take over Raul’s treatment.
Inquiry Confirms Negligence
A preliminary investigation confirmed that the doctor had misdiagnosed the case and failed to follow proper treatment protocols for snakebite cases. The Medical Superintendent of Jagatsinghpur DHH, Dr. Sarojkant Jena, stated that a show-cause notice had been issued to the doctor involved.
“Further action will be taken based on the doctor’s explanation and in consultation with the Director of Health Services,” he added.
