Date:03/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/03/stories/2007080357730300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Enough anti-snake venom, but not for Rafeeq

J.B.S.Umanadh

Sangareddy: When 18-month-old Afeef Bin Rafeeq complained to his mother that a ‘booboo’ had bitten him she did not realise that he had been bitten by a snake.

The woman whose husband lives in Dubai took the boy to the district headquarters hospital. The doctors offered no help and asked her to take him to Niloufer Hospital in Hyderabad. Rafeeq was declared brought dead by the doctors in Niloufer.

Surprised relatives

Father of the boy, Rafeeq Bin Ahmad, and uncle, Khaleeq Bin Ahmad, came from Dubai immediately.

Speaking to The Hindu Mr Khaleeq wondered why the district headquarters hospital could not provide some first aid .

Superintendent Lakshmi Rajam, who denied that anyone by the name Rafeeq was brought to the hospital told The Hindu that a snakebite patient generally requires 13 vials of ASV and the hospital had enough stock of it.

However, cases with respiratory failure are referred to Niloufer as the hospital lacks the necessary equipment here, she said.