Mokhada: Snakebite in field, 108 ambulance saves tribal woman's life
A 60-year-old tribal woman bitten by a venomous snake while cutting grass in Mokhada was saved by timely care from the 108 ambulance service.
The 108 ambulance service saved the life of a 60-year-old tribal woman in a remote part of Mokhada taluka in Palghar district. The woman, Narmada Mahadu Mahale, was bitten by a venomous snake while cutting grass in a field. Her condition turned serious after the bite, but timely treatment in the ambulance itself, followed by treatment at different hospitals, gradually stabilised her, and she was eventually discharged.
The incident took place on September 9 at Pasodipada in Beriste gram panchayat area of Mokhada taluka. Narmada Mahale was cutting grass in the field as usual when a venomous snake bit her. As soon as her family noticed the bite, they rushed her to the primary health centre at Ase without delay.
Her condition worsened further while treatment was underway at the primary health centre. As the effect of the snakebite grew more severe, doctors advised shifting her to a bigger hospital for further treatment. However, the 108 ambulance at Ase was unavailable at that time as it had already left with another critical patient. Without wasting time, the 108 ambulance from Mokhada was urgently called in.
Recognising the seriousness of the situation, Dr. Panjabrao Chavan of the 108 ambulance personally rushed to the primary health centre at Ase. After examining Narmada Mahale's condition, she was immediately moved into the ambulance. Necessary medical treatment was continued during the journey itself so that no time would be lost before reaching the next hospital.
Narmada Mahale was then admitted to the sub-district hospital in Mokhada, where Dr. Niranjan Sapte carried out further treatment. As she still needed treatment after two days, she was shifted to the civil hospital in Nashik. After three more days of treatment there, her condition stabilised completely and doctors discharged her.
In remote, tribal-dominated areas like Mokhada, timely treatment during an emergency is crucial, as it can take a long time to reach a bigger hospital from such areas. In this case, the promptness shown by the medical team, from making the ambulance available in time to continuing treatment during the journey, ensured that Narmada Mahale received timely further treatment and her life was saved. Her son, Madhukar Mahale, has thanked the 108 ambulance service, Dr. Panjabrao Chavan and the entire medical team that treated her.
