Elderly Woman Dies After Injection At First-Aid Centre; Facility Sealed

District medical and health authorities have sealed a first-aid centre in the Old Town area in Anantapur following the death of an elderly woman allegedly after an injection administered by an RMP practitioner on Saturday.

According to DM & HO (district medical and health officer) Dr Katta Venkateswarlu, the Meghan first-aid centre was running by G. Ramana near Tadipathri bus stand area in Old Town of Anatnapur. K. Narasamma, a resident of the second cross in Sai Nagar of Anantapur, had reportedly approached the first-aid centre on Saturday evening for a treatment of joint pains and breathing difficulties. She allegedly died shortly after receiving an injection from the practitioner.

Following the incident, the family members of the deceased lodged a complaint with the DM&HO office against the first aid centre. Taking the issue seriously, DM&HO Dr Katta Venkateswarlu ordered a probe and also the closure of the facility. Acting on his directions, Dr K. Nagajyothi, medical officer of the Neeruganti Street Urban Health Centre, and district mass media officer E. Nagaraju inspected the Meghan first-aid centre and found the RMP Ramana was providing allopathic treatment by violating the guidelines of the first aid centre. The officials team sealed the first aid centre on Sunday morning and issued a show-cause notice to its operator Ramana.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the alleged provision of allopathic treatment by unauthorised practitioners operating under the guise of first-aid centres.

Dr Venkateswarlu warned that strict action would be taken against those violating medical regulations. He said first-aid centres were not permitted to administer allopathic treatment, including injections, intravenous glucose or saline drips, tablets and steroids, unless legally authorised. Such violations would invite sealing of the premises and complaints seeking criminal action against those responsible, he cautioned.