Elderly woman dies, another critical after consuming poisonous mushrooms; medical help delayed due to road blockade
Rescue efforts were severely hampered by continuous landslides and blocked roads.
Dhanuli Devi, 65, and her daughter-in-law Kavita Devi, 27, found the mushrooms while working in their agricultural fields, and cooked them for lunch, believing them to be safe for consumption. Both women subsequently developed symptoms of severe poisoning. Dhanuli Devi passed away shortly afterward, while Kavita's condition deteriorated rapidly.
Villagers initially attempted to treat Kavita using traditional remedies and herbs, but without proper medical attention, her condition remains precarious.
"The road has been closed for days due to landslides in the Ambua stream area," said Guddu Danu, a resident. "If it had been open, Dhanuli could have been saved. Ambulances can't reach us, and it's too dangerous to carry the sick on foot."Persistent rainfall and landslides have rendered the five-kilometre road connecting the village to the main thoroughfare impassable, blocking any vehicular movement and impeding rescue operations.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You
Dubai villas | search ads
Get Deals
Undo
Brijesh Ghatyal, in-charge of Kapkot CHC, said that a medical team was sent immediately after receiving news of the incident. "We're trying our best, but due to road closures and dangerous conditions, reaching the village is taking time. Only after reaching can the team assess Kavita's actual condition," he said.
A team comprising health officials, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) staff, and local police are working to ensure medical aid reaches the village.
Dhanuli Devi is survived by her son Khilaf Ram, daughter-in-law Kavita, and three grandchildren. The incident highlights the significant challenges faced by residents of remote Himalayan areas, where monsoon season regularly disrupts access to essential services, including healthcare and emergency assistance.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
New trauma centre at GMCH: Old equipment, fewer hands
Chandigarh: Although the much-awaited 283-bedded trauma and emergency centre at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Sector 32 is set to become functional on July 28, critical staffing and equipment procurement remains incomplete. The new facility, which has three operation theatres and 19 ICU beds, will initially rely heavily on resources of the existing emergency department, which raises questions about its immediate operational capacity. While the current 100-bedded emergency unit, along with its equipment, will be relocated to the new building, fresh procurements for the expanded 283-bedded centre are reportedly "at different stages." This leaves the new centre to function with the older equipment for now, with new machines being integrated gradually. "We will be shifting the old emergency, with its machines, in the trauma centre," said Prof A K Attri, director principal, GMCH-32. He added that the new trauma centre would be made functional in a phased manner and would be upgraded soon. Meanwhile, the old emergency wing, which is vacant and has not been renovated in 29 years, is slated for an overhaul. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like I Tried the $0.87 Generic Viagra and Here's What Happened! fridayplans Learn More Undo It may house the gynaecology department in future. As of now however, the ambitious launch is overshadowed by significant staff shortage. The new centre requires additional 57 technical staff members. The requirement has been sent to the GMCH administration but recruitment is awaited. While the hospital is in the process of recruiting nursing staff members for the dedicated trauma centre, a combined list of technical staff, doctors, and nurses sent to authorities has only seen the fulfilment of nursing requirements. The delays have not been resolved despite the project having been sanctioned in 2019. A GMCH staff member said, "How can the centre function with such a short staff? Manpower requirement and purchase of equipment should have been complete much before completion of the building." Currently, GMCH operates 22 operation theatres (14 routine, 8 emergency) and has 34 ICU beds across the hospital. With the new centre adding 19 ICU beds, the total ICU capacity will increase to 53, but the lack of dedicated additional technical staff could impede optimal functioning. BOX: Existing facilities ICU beds | OTs 10 - C Block 4 - A Block 6 - RICU (Respiratory ICU) 10 - Emergency Medicine 4 - PICU (Paediatric ICU) Upcoming trauma centre: ICU - 19 Beds Existing technical staff operation theatre - 44 Technical staff required for upcoming trauma centre - 57 MSID:: 122420509 413 |
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Japan's ‘no-match' artificial blood may end shortages
Japanese researchers have developed artificial blood, potentially revolutionizing emergency medicine and addressing global blood shortages, particularly in countries like India. These lab-made red blood cells, called NMU-HbV, mimic real ones by effectively carrying oxygen. Clinical trials are underway, with potential real-world use by 2030. No blood group matching required, no infection risk, no expiry for months. Researchers in Japan have developed artificial blood that has the potential to end global blood shortage and transform how the world handles emergencies, especially in cases of mass casualties and rural surgeries. The innovation comes from Professor Hiromi Sakai and his team at Nara Medical University, who have created stable, virus-free artificial red blood cells now undergoing clinical trials. If all goes according to plan, this breakthrough could be ready for real-world use by 2030. A recent Lancet report showed India has one of the world's highest blood shortages, with lack of awareness, sub-par infrastructure and a chronic shortage of donors worsening the crisis. So, the idea of a blood substitute could be life changing in such a scenario. What is artificial blood? It isn't a full replica of human blood as it doesn't have white blood cells or platelets. But it does what's most vital in an emergency — carry oxygen. These lab-made blood cells mimic real ones, stay stable at room temperature, and are made using expired donated blood that would otherwise be discarded. 'They are also expected to respond to diseases and surgical procedures that cannot be treated by blood transfusions, and to unmet medical needs,' says Sakai's lab website. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Benefits of Trading Bitcoin CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo The artificial red blood cells were developed by putting purified haemoglobin into thin lipid-based structures, forming haemoglobin vesicles (HbVs). These vesicles are just 250 nanometres wide — small enough to flow through capillaries, just like natural red blood cells do. Unlike the red colour of blood, these artificial cells have a purplish hue as they do not oxidise until used. HbVs don't have blood type and don't carry infection risks. They are made from expired red blood cells, or even from animal or lab-sourced haemoglobin. In essence, it's a purified, shelf-stable oxygen delivery system — without complications of blood transfusions. These lab-made cells are not a full replica of human blood as these don't have white blood cells or platelets. But they do what's most vital in an emergency — carry oxygen Agencies Is it better than the real thing? Artificial blood (called NMU-HbV) offers several benefits over traditional blood donations. For starters, it rules out the need for compatibility testing, making it ideal for emergency situations. 'When a blood transfusion is urgently needed, some time is lost trying to determine the patient's blood type. With the artificial red blood cells, there's no need to worry about blood types,' Sakai told Japan Times. Also, the blood can be stored at room temperature for up to two years, far exceeding the short shelf life (around 42 days) of donated blood. After completing successful safety tests in animals in early 2019, researchers began the first human trial in Oct 2020 at Hokkaido University. Healthy adult men were given 10ml, 50ml and 100 ml doses in three separate groups. Some participants had mild fever or discomfort from the injection, but those were short-lived. Blood tests, heart checks, and other health indicators were normal. The trial was approved by Japan's drug authority and the university's ethics committee.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Super speciality seats in govt colleges open to all who wrote NEET-SS
Chennai: At least 40 super-speciality medical seats for courses such as cardiology, nephrology, gastroenterology, and cardiac surgery in premium state-run institutions such as Madras Medical College, Stanley Medical College and Madurai Medical College, are lying vacant after two rounds of counselling. They will now be open to all those who appeared for NEET-SS (super speciality). On Monday, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences reduced the qualifying percentile for NEET-SS 2024 stray round counselling held in March. This means candidates who appeared for the exam, including those who scored negative marks, will be considered eligible for the seats. Senior health ministry officials and doctors in state govt say many doctors with postgraduate degrees aren't keen on pursuing super-speciality as job opportunities are fewer. The state has 412 super-speciality seats across nearly 10 govt colleges, of which 215 seats were reserved for in-service candidates. The state selection committee, which conducts the counselling for in-service candidates, extended the time for interested candidates to apply for counselling by 6 pm on Tuesday and is hoping to get adequate candidates to fill the seats. "Earlier, there were just 116 in-service applicants for 215 seats," said a senior official. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sacramento: Here's The Average Price of a 6-Hour Gutter Upgrade Read More Undo After the first round, only 30% of candidates took the seats allotted to them, and 70% of seats were vacant. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Though the state did not have adequate candidates to fill the seats in the second round, it informed the centre it would retain the seats so it could give an opportunity to other candidates if the centre reduced the eligibility scores. On Tuesday, the state announced that it would conduct the stray round for service candidates. "We are hoping for all seats to be filled this time," the official said. Over the past few years, seats in premium super-speciality govt colleges across the country have remained vacant. National Medical Commission chairperson Dr Abhijat Shet, who is also the president of National Board of Examinations, told TOI that admission trends have been changing rapidly. "Some specialities, such as cardiology, seem to have reached a saturation point. People see a better career trajectory if they hold on to broader PG specialities such as general medicine or those that will fetch them jobs in labs or imaging services," he said. The board, which regulates diploma medical courses, encourages institutions to stop the course or reduce seats when the demand is low and increase seats in courses for which the demand is high. "It may be difficult to do the same for govt-run degree programmes as funds are allocated, but we must find a way to create seats dynamically," he said. TN Govt Doctors' Association president Dr K Senthil said govt must create at least 500 SS posts. "We don't have courses such as rheumatology, geriatrics, endocrinology, or cardiac surgery in all medical colleges. What will those who pursue these courses do? Most of them are posted in medicine or surgery departments," he said.
