Palwal hospital begins inquiry after rituals outside emergency ward

A 20-year-old woman from Chandhut was brought to Palwal Civil Hospital between 2pm and 2.30pm on Tuesday after a snake bit her right hand while she was working in her family’s fields.

Doctors administered anti-venom and kept her under observation. Her family then called a man known to them, who performed rituals with neem leaves and other items at the entrance to the emergency ward. Hospital officials said he told the family that he could extract the venom.

Dr Sanjay Kumar, the hospital’s senior medical officer, said staff noticed the activity and alerted senior doctors. Private guards removed the man from the premises after several minutes. The woman was referred to Shaheed Hassan Khan Mewati Medical College and Hospital in Nalhar, Nuh, and was discharged after recovering.

Palwal Chief Medical Officer Dr Satinder Vashisht said an inquiry is under way into how the man entered the hospital. Guards and hospital staff have been directed to prevent similar incidents.