Malkangiri: Tension ran high at the District Headquarters Hospital in Odisha's Malkangiri after the death of an eight-month pregnant woman, as her family members alleged that medical negligence was the cause of the death and assaulted the concerned doctor. The deceased has been identified as Bandana Mandal.

According to family members, Bandana fell ill on Tuesday night and was rushed to the hospital. They suspected that she had been bitten by a snake after one was spotted inside their house.

The woman's kin alleged that despite informing doctors about the suspected snakebite, Bandana did not receive proper medical attention. She was reportedly allowed by the doctor to return home. However, her condition deteriorated again on Wednesday morning, following which she was rushed back to the hospital.

Doctors later declared her dead, triggering outrage among the family members. They accused hospital authorities of negligence, questioning why Bandana was advised to return home when her condition had not fully improved. They claimed that timely and adequate treatment could have saved her life.

Hospital authorities, however, denied the allegations. The attending doctor said that there was no negligence in treatment and claimed that the patient had left the hospital on her own with her family members. The doctor further maintained that all necessary medicines and medical care had been provided.

Following the woman's death, the angry family members allegedly assaulted the doctor inside the hospital premises. The situation turned tense before police personnel arrived at the spot and brought the situation under control.

Police have launched an inquiry into the incident, while the allegations of medical negligence and the circumstances surrounding the woman's death remain under investigation.