NHRC issues notice to UP Govt over snake bite deaths in Balia

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today issued notices to Uttar Pradesh Health Department and District Magistrate taking suo motu cognisance of a media report about a 30-year-old man dying of snake bite due to non-availability of anti-snake venom injection at Balia district hospital.
Azad, a resident of Village Manikpur under the Fepana Police Station, was bitten by a poisonous snake and died on the July 1.
According to media reports, the doctors informed the relatives of the man that anti-snake venom injection was neither available in the District Hospital nor in the entire district.
Reportedly, many people had died in the district due to non-availability of anti-snake venom injection.

"The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the residents of the district," a statement issued by the NHRC said.
A notice has been issued to the Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Uttar Pradesh Government and District Magistrate, Balia calling for a factual report within two weeks.