VELLORE: A 36-year-old tribal woman from the Malayali community in Anaicut, who was admitted to the Government Vellore Medical College Hospital (GVMCH) on August 17 after suffering a snakebite the previous night, died without responding to treatment on August 21. Following autopsy, her body was handed over to her family members on Saturday, police said.
The deceased was identified as Chinnathai C of Jarthankollai.
According to the Veppankuppam police, who have registered a case of unnatural death, Chinnathai and her husband was sleeping at their house on the night of August 16 when the snake bit her.
Assuming it an insect bite, the couple only the next day consulted a team from the Christian Medical College (CMC) hospital who was visiting the hills. The team took her to a base hospital of the CMC in Bagayam, where she was diagnosed of having suffered snakebite. She was then admitted to the GVMCH the same day. She, however, died on August 21.
On information, the Veppankuppam police sent Chinnathai’s body for post-mortem examination. Following the autopsy, the body was handed over to her family, the police said.
According to sources, snakebites are common in Jarthankollai, which is situated in a forest. Pointing to a lack of a dedicated medical facility, locals reiterated their demand for a primary health centre (PHC) in the village.