Snakebite claims 4 lives in a day in Odisha’s Ganjam; poor healthcare accessibility alleged

Four people, including a mother and her young child, died in separate snake bite incidents late Wednesday night in Ganjam district. Both fatalities occurred in remote villages with poor road connectivity, with alleged delays in ambulance services.

In the first reported incident, 32-year-old Jema Mundaja and her eight-year-old son, Ganesh Mundaja, lost their lives in Radhikadeipur village under Ghasipura block.

Reports stated that the mother-son duo was sleeping late last night when a venomous snake bit them. Both were initially taken to Keshdurapal Medical Hospital and later referred to Anandapur Sub-Divisional Hospital.

According to sources, due to delayed transport and limited emergency services, including the absence of an available 108 ambulance, a private car was arranged only by 4:30 am to take them to Anandapur.

Despite these efforts, both mother and child succumbed to the snake bites before receiving effective treatment.

Aunt, Niece Lose lives To Snakebite

A similar tragedy occurred in Bilugam village of Buratal Panchayat under Patrapur block, where a woman identified as Damayanti Shabar and her niece, Limi Karji, were bitten by a venomous snake while asleep.

Limi, a fifth-grade student at Talbad School, and Damayanti were carried by villagers through approximately three kilometres of forest paths to reach a vehicle for transport to Berhampur.

The village’s location, with no proper roads, prevented immediate medical intervention, and both victims lost their lives while being moved to an ambulance.

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Locals Struggle to Reach Help

Locals in both areas reported that the absence of proper roads and the difficult terrain prevented timely access to medical care, particularly during nighttime. 

No comments from concerned authorities could be received over these deaths and allegations of poor medical accessibility.