Odisha: Pregnant Woman Dies at Malkangiri Hospital, Doctor Assaulted Amid Negligence Allegations
Tension erupted at Malkangiri District Headquarters Hospital in Odisha after the death of an eight-month pregnant woman, identified as Bandana Mandal, allegedly following a suspected snakebite. The incident occurred late on June 16, 2026 , when the woman was brought to the hospital by her family after suddenly falling ill. According to reports, relatives even brought the dead snake they believed had bitten her.
Following her death, family members accused the hospital of delayed treatment and medical negligence, claiming that inadequate care contributed to the tragic outcome. The allegations quickly escalated into unrest within the hospital premises.
Also read: Bikaner PBM Hospital: Female Surgery Resident Assaulted, Doctors Boycott Services
Conflicting Accounts Over Treatment
Doctors have strongly denied negligence claims. Treating physician Siddharth Adarsh stated that the patient received treatment for several hours and that he was subsequently assaulted by relatives after her death. According to hospital authorities, the woman was initially treated for suspected snakebite, appeared clinically stable, and was discharged before returning later in a critically ill condition.
District Chief Medical Officer Nihar Ranjan Prahraj stated that there was no evidence of treatment negligence based on preliminary findings. He confirmed that the patient died while undergoing treatment during her second hospital visit and announced a detailed inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the case.
Also read: Rajasthan IMA President Assaulted in Udaipur: Mob Tears Doctor’s Shirt
Violence Against Doctors Remains a Persistent Threat
While the cause of death remains under investigation, the assault on a doctor once again highlights a recurring crisis in India’s healthcare system, violence against medical professionals following adverse outcomes. Allegations of negligence must be examined through transparent medical and legal inquiry, not mob retaliation.
The incident is particularly concerning because officials acknowledged that similar attacks on healthcare workers have been reported at the hospital in the past
