A 55-year-old woman, Julekha Khatun, tragically deceased on Friday afternoon after failing to receive antivenom treatment at two separate medical facilities in Dinajpur. The incident has sparked allegations of professional negligence against medical staff, as the primary health complex reportedly possessed the necessary medication but declined to administer it.
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Incident Overview and Chronology
The victim, wife of Rafiqul Islam from Chandipur village in the Rangaon Union of Bochaganj Upazila, was bitten on her left wrist by a venomous snake at approximately 12:30 pm on Friday. The incident occurred in the family’s granary. Upon hearing her cries, relatives rushed to the scene and transported her to the Bochaganj Upazila Health Complex via motorcycle.
In an effort to assist with the diagnosis, relatives managed to capture the snake and brought it to the hospital for identification by the attending physicians. Despite the availability of antivenom at the facility, Julekha was not treated and was instead referred to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital. She passed away at approximately 2:15 pm, less than two hours after the initial bite.
| Event Location | Time/Status | Action Taken |
| Chandipur Village | 12:30 pm | Patient bitten on the left wrist. |
| Bochaganj Health Complex | Arrival shortly after | Blood tests conducted; antivenom available but withheld. |
| Dinajpur Medical College | Referral | Admission denied due to lack of ICU beds. |
| Check-up Specialized Hospital | 2:15 pm | Patient declared dead on arrival. |
Allegations of Medical Negligence
The victim’s son, Abdul Hannan, reported that staff at the Bochaganj Upazila Health Complex confirmed the presence of antivenom but refused administration on the grounds that the facility lacked an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Medical staff argued that ICU support is a prerequisite for administering antivenom due to potential adverse reactions.
Upon reaching Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, the family faced further obstacles. Nursing staff reportedly informed them that no ICU beds were vacant and suggested transferring the patient to private facilities, such as the Zia Heart Foundation or Check-up Specialized Hospital. By this stage, Julekha was exhibiting severe symptoms, including foaming at the mouth. She was declared dead shortly after reaching a private clinic.
Official Statements and Investigations
Dr Bijoy Kumar Roy, Health Officer of Bochaganj Upazila Health Complex, confirmed via telephone that the hospital currently maintains a stock of 40 vials of antivenom. He stated that while blood tests did not initially show hemotoxic or neurotoxic infection, the patient was referred because the facility could not provide the ICU support required during antivenom administration.
Maruf Hasan, the Bochaganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), expressed concern over the fatality, noting that 20 vials of antivenom had recently been procured through an ADB allocation specifically for the hospital. He has pledged a formal investigation into why the vaccine was not administered to the patient.
Regional Context
Data from various upazilas in Dinajpur suggests that at least 15 people have died from snakebites over the past year. However, Dr Asif Ferdous, the District Civil Surgeon, admitted that precise statistics regarding snakebite fatalities have not been systematically maintained at his office. He confirmed that while antivenom is currently in stock across the district, the circumstances surrounding Julekha Khatun’s death are under review.