Thiruvananthapuram | BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday alleged that the Kerala government’s alleged negligence had led to recent snakebite deaths in the state.
Multiple snakebite deaths, including those of two children, have been reported in Kerala in recent days.
In a Facebook post, Chandrasekhar alleged that authorities failed to ensure timely treatment and adequate anti-venom availability in hospitals.
He questioned why people in Kerala were dying of snakebites even while sleeping inside their homes.
Referring to the death of eight-year-old Dikshal and three others in the past one week, he said the fatalities could have been prevented had proper precautionary measures been taken.
“Despite being aware that the existing anti-venom stock was insufficient, the government failed to equip local hospitals with facilities needed to save the lives of poor patients,” he said.
Delay in treatment and official apathy were responsible for the deaths of innocent people, he claimed.
“This is not an accident; it is a killing caused by the failure of authorities,” Chandrasekhar alleged.
Amid rising temperatures, experts have warned that reptiles, including snakes, may enter houses in search of shade, cooler environments, and rodents.
In at least two recent snakebite incidents, allegations were raised that hospital authorities failed to diagnose the cases in time and administer anti-venom, leading to the deaths of the victims.
The Health Department recently held a review meeting on the increasing number of snakebite cases and directed hospitals to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
State Health Minister Veena George advised the public to use the 108 ambulance service, which maintains a list of hospitals with anti-venom available.
