An Awami League leader named Mojibar Howlader (65) has died of a snakebite in Damudya, Shariatpur. The incident happened on Sunday evening (29 October) in the Mollakandi area of Dhankati union in the upazila. Mojibar Howlader was president of the Awami League in ward 5 of Dhankathi union.

According to his family, Mojibar Howlader went to clear weeds from a paddy field in the Motherhat bazar area of Dhankathi union on Sunday afternoon. While he was weeding, a venomous snake bit him on the leg. When his family was told, he was quickly taken to the district Sadar Hospital. But after he was taken there, he was not given antivenom for the snakebite, on the excuse that there was no doctor. With no other option, he was taken to a local ojha (traditional healer), after which he died.

His son-in-law Suman Dewan alleged: "When my father-in-law was taken ill to the Sadar Hospital, they did not give him the vaccine, saying there was no doctor. If they had given the vaccine then, he might still be alive today. He died because of the doctor's lack of cooperation."

Dhankati union parishad chairman Golam Mawla (Ratan) said: "Mojibar bhai's death like this is unacceptable. After he was taken to hospital, the nurse on duty said the doctor had gone for lunch and told us to wait. How can a snakebite patient survive if you make him wait? We were even forced to call the emergency service number. He died because of the doctor."

Dr Habibur Rahman, superintendent of the Sadar Hospital, said the hospital has vaccine for snakebite patients and any doctor can give it. "I was in Dhaka and did not learn of the matter. I will find out which doctor was on duty and why the vaccine was not given. If any doctor was negligent, action will certainly be taken," he said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.