Snake bitten Sikkim teenager's brush with death

In a life-affirming turn of events at the remote Geyzing hospital in Sikkim, a 13-year-old's brush with death due to a poisonous snake bite, was averted by the quick actions of the medical staff at the facility's 10bedICU.

The teen was rushed into the 10BedICU at Gyalshing district hospital, presenting with severe respiratory paralysis—a consequence of a neurotoxic snake bite. Dr. Rosina Basnet, the medical officer on duty, swung to action with the aid of the ward's dedicated staff.Recognizing the gravity of the situation, medical specialist Dr. Miskila Subba administered Anti-Snake Venom (ASV), a vital first line of defense against the life-threatening toxins coursing through young boy's bloodstream.

However, with the patient's respiratory functions rapidly deteriorating, it became clear that more advanced intervention was required.Dr. Abhimanyu Sharma, an anesthesiologist and critical care specialist, was swiftly brought into the fray. Under his guidance, the child was placed on a mechanical ventilator—an act that likely tipped the scales back in favor of life. For nearly 60 grueling hours, the Hamilton ventilator served as the patient's lifeline, doing the work that their paralyzed respiratory muscles could not. The state-of-the-art ventilator’s AI based auto-weaning process, ensured the patient's fragile body could once again take on the mantle of breathing unassisted. The young patient made a full recovery, a testament to both the human spirit's resilience and the undeniable importance of accessible, quality critical care.

Discharged to the warmth of home and family, the child left the hospital not only as a survivor of a deadly encounter but as a living testament to the hospital's commitment to its community, even in the most remote and challenging of settings. The remarkable recovery of the young patient at Geyzing hospital underscores the broader impact of the 220+ 10BedICUs in 9 states of the country. The untiring work of bisoya loitongbam Nat'l Program Coordinator & Sarita Limboo the Sikkim State coordinator in conjunction with Health Department, Govt of Sikkim, in equipping these rural hospitals with state-of-the-art ICU medical equipment, TeleICU hubs, well-trained staff, that bridged the gap in critical care that communities in remote locations face.

This work not only elevates the standard of care available to underserved populations but also reinforces the foundation of a resilient healthcare system capable of saving lives. This story from Sikkim is just one among many that highlights 10BedICUs in remote areas connected to TeleICU hubs at medical colleges which are making a difference in the life-and-death battles faced by patients in the farthest reaches of the country.