Ulhasnagar Boy Dies After Snakebite, Family Alleges Hospital Delay

Ulhasnagar: A 3-year-old boy died after being bitten by a snake in Ambernath, with his family alleging that a delay in treatment at Central Hospital contributed to the tragedy. Hospital authorities, however, denied the allegations and said all necessary medical procedures were carried out promptly after the child was brought in.The incident took place on Friday morning near the Shiv Mandir area of Ambernath. According to family members, Sultan Sheikh (3) was watching television at home around 11.30 am when he was suddenly bitten by the highly venomous pit viper.The family rushed the child to Central Hospital in Ulhasnagar for treatment. However, the boy’s mother alleged that doctors did not begin treatment immediately and that nearly 30 minutes were lost after they arrived at the hospital.She further claimed that doctors asked the family to provide a photograph of the snake that had bitten the child before proceeding with treatment. According to the family, they told the doctors that they did not have a photograph, following which treatment was started. By then, they alleged, the delay proved fatal and the child’s condition worsened significantly.In the meantime, another family member reportedly caught the snake and brought it to the hospital in a container to help doctors identify the species.The child later died during treatment, triggering emotional scenes at the hospital. Family members accused the medical staff of negligence and demanded action against those responsible.Responding to the allegations, Dr Manohar Bansode, district civil surgeon, said claims of negligence were “completely false”.“The snake involved in this case was a pit viper, which is neurotoxic. The family took nearly an hour to bring the child to the hospital after the bite. Once the patient arrived, he was immediately examined by the paediatrician and the MD physician on duty. Anti-venom treatment was administered, blood samples were collected, and an IV line was started without delay. Our team made every possible effort to save the child, but unfortunately he could not be revived,” Dr Bansode said. The family created a ruckus after the child’s death, resulting in the police reaching the spot to control the situation.