Tragedy in Rayagada: Woman Sarpanch dies of snakebite after ambulance fails to arrive on time

A tragic incident occurred in Kulisadar Panchayat of Rayagada district, where sarpanch Mangi Kadaraka died after being bitten by a snake. The incident took place around 2:30 am on Saturday night while she was asleep. On realising the bite, her family immediately called for 108 ambulance.

However, the ambulance arrived nearly an hour later due to a problem with its lights, delaying the medical assistance. Following the delay, Mangi was admitted to the district headquarters hospital, where doctors treated her for approximately an hour before declaring her dead.

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Family Recounts Final Moments

Suri Kadraka, Mangi’s husband, said, “At around 2:30 am on Saturday night, my wife told me that something had bitten her. Suspecting a snake bite, I called for the ambulance. The ambulance arrived an hour later, and we took her to the hospital. She was administered an IV drip but later passed away. It was confirmed that she died of snakebite.”

Following the incident, Suri Kadraka filed a complaint with the police. An investigation has been launched, although no official response could be obtained from the ambulance driver regarding the delay.

Concerns Over Ambulance Services In Odisha

The incident has highlighted ongoing issues with ambulance services across the district. Several cases of ambulance breakdowns have been reported in recent times. Many areas in Rayagada still lack motorable roads, preventing ambulances from reaching them. Even where roads exist, poor vehicle maintenance often delays emergency response, painting a grim picture of healthcare services in the region.

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The tragedy has raised serious questions about the preparedness and efficiency of emergency medical services in remote parts of Odisha