Anantapur first-aid centre sealed after woman allegedly dies following injection

Anantapur: Health authorities in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, have sealed a private first-aid centre after an elderly woman allegedly died shortly after receiving an injection from an RMP practitioner. 

An inspection by health officials reportedly found that the facility was providing allopathic treatment in violation of the rules governing first-aid centres.

According to reports, the incident occurred on Saturday at Meghan First-Aid Centre in the Old Town area near Tadipatri bus stand. The woman, a resident of Sai Nagar in Anantapur, had reportedly visited the centre in the evening for relief from joint pain and breathing difficulties. She allegedly died soon after the injection was administered. 

Following the woman's death, her family approached the District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) and lodged a complaint against the facility. Taking up the matter, the district health department ordered an inquiry and directed officials to close the centre pending further action.

A team comprising a medical officer from the Neeruganti Street Urban Health Centre and the district mass media officer inspected the premises on Sunday morning. During the inspection, officials found that the RMP operating the facility was reportedly administering allopathic treatment despite restrictions on the services permitted at first-aid centres.

The authorities subsequently sealed the premises and issued a show-cause notice to the operator, seeking an explanation for the alleged violations.

The incident has renewed concerns over unqualified or unauthorised practitioners providing medical treatment through establishments operating as first-aid centres. Such practices can expose patients to risks, particularly when injections and other medical interventions are administered without appropriate authorisation.

The DM&HO warned that first-aid centres are not permitted to provide allopathic treatment unless legally authorised to do so. The restrictions include administering injections, intravenous glucose or saline drips, tablets and steroids, Deccan Chronicle reported. 

The district health authorities said violations could lead to the sealing of facilities and complaints seeking criminal action against those responsible. Further action in the present case will follow the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the woman's death and the alleged violations at the centre.