Kendrapada: In a shocking case of medical mix-up at a government health facility in Odisha’s Kendrapada district, a pharmacist on Wednesday allegedly gave an anti-rabies injection intended for a dog-bite patient to a man suffering from chest pain, triggering health complications and raising concerns about safety protocols in primary healthcare centres.
The incident took place at Karilopatna Primary Health Centre (PHC).
According to sources, Anant Jena, a local resident, visited the centre complaining of severe chest pain. At the same time, another patient who had been bitten by a dog was present at the facility awaiting treatment. Pharmacist Sudhir Dalai mistakenly administered the anti-rabies vaccine to Jena instead of the intended recipient. The two patients were reportedly sitting next to each other, contributing to the confusion during a busy period.
Soon after the injection, Jena experienced dizziness, vomiting, and a spinning sensation in his head.
Realising the error, the pharmacist promptly took the patient in his personal vehicle to Kendrapada district headquarters hospital for further treatment and later fled the scene.
Dr Sunil Kumar Sahu, the medical officer at Karilopatna PHC, acknowledged the mistake, confirming that the pharmacist had erred while a review team was present. He reassured the public, stating that the anti-rabies vaccine is commonly administered without serious side effects.
