The Hindu : Front Page : Death of woman sparks protest

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Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008
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Death of woman sparks protest

Staff Reporter

PUDUCHERRY: The death of a 23-year-old woman due to snake bite on Monday sparked an immediate protest by her relatives and activists belonging to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) in front of the Assembly. Her relatives and activists belonging to the VCK staged the demonstration carrying the body to protest against the non-availability of anti-venom vaccine at the Public Health Centre (PHC) in Nettapakkam.

According to police, the deceased, Jyothi, a resident of Kariamanikkam in Nettapakkam, succumbed to the snake bite after being admitted to the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Postgraduate Institute here. She was brought to the GH after the PHC staff informed her relatives about non-availability of anti-venom vaccine.

The activists withdrew their protest after officials from the Revenue and Health Departments held talks with them.

When contacted, Director of Health and Family Welfare Dilip Kumar Baliga said the victim was brought to the hospital after “considerable delay.” He said anti-venom vaccine had to be administered by a doctor or qualified nurse and PHCs did not have such a facility.

The Community Health Centres at Karikkalampakkam and Mannadipet have the facility to administer anti-venom vaccine.

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