3 health officials transferred, probe initiated for negligence

Three health department officials including the Chief Medical Superintendent have been transferred and disciplinary action initiated against them after a youth died at Ballia district hospital allegedly due to lack of treatment.
"CMS Dr R N Upadhyay, Chief Pharmacist S N Rai, Store in charge Dr Vinod Kumar Gupta have been transferred," a senior health department official said here.
Family members of the victim in their complaint alleged that Sudama Verma (45) who was bitten by a snake, died on August 9 after doctors of Ballia District Hospital did not treat him, police said yesterday.
An FIR was lodged on Aug 10 against CMO Dr PK Singh, Dr Ramanand, Siddharth and Dr V K Gupta at Ballia city police station under various section of IPC including 304 A (Causing death by negligence) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy), they said.

As per the initial probe by the Health Department, it was found that Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) was available with CMO, Ballia but no effort was made by the officials to get it from the CMO or to procure it through local purchase, the official said.