Pune: A six-year-old boy, Aniruddha Mukesh Vishwakarma, narrowly escaped death after being bitten by a highly venomous snake on December 25. Thanks to swift action and coordinated medical care, the child survived despite being unconscious for over 12 hours.
The incident occurred while Aniruddha was playing near his home. His father, who witnessed the snakebite, acted quickly, rushing him to pediatrician Dr. Sushil Bagul in Otur.
By the time they reached the clinic, Aniruddha was experiencing severe pain and vomiting. Recognizing the seriousness of the case, Dr. Bagul contacted senior physician Dr. Sadanand Raut for guidance and referred Aniruddha to the Otur Primary Health Center.
At the health center, Dr. Shrihari Sarokte administered first aid and ensured that the child was transported to Narayangaon in a 108 ambulance. Driver Ganesh Gaykar played a crucial role by reaching the destination in just 16 minutes.
When Aniruddha arrived at Vighnahar Nursing Home, his condition was critical—his heart had stopped, and he was not breathing. A team led by Dr. Pallavi Raut, Dr. Sadanand Raut, and Dr. Sahil Sheikh immediately began lifesaving procedures, including chest compressions, artificial respiration, and the administration of emergency medications such as adrenaline and anti-venom.
After an hour of intensive efforts, the boy's heart responded to treatment. Though unconscious for over 12 hours, Aniruddha gradually regained consciousness. A resurgence of venom symptoms the following day required another round of anti-venom injections, but after two days of treatment, his condition stabilized.
However, the snakebite caused significant damage to his leg, resulting in severe swelling and gangrene. Doctors have planned surgery to save the affected leg. MLA Sharad Sonawane visited Aniruddha and praised the medical team for their quick and effective response.
Mission Zero Snakebite Death Initiative Key to Success
The successful treatment was credited to training provided under the "Mission Zero Snakebite Death" project, which aims to eliminate snakebite-related deaths through awareness and education for medical professionals and ambulance personnel. This training proved instrumental in ensuring Aniruddha received timely and appropriate care.
