In a tragic incident that highlights the dangers of superstition, two siblings from Rajpur village under Umerkote block lost their lives after being bitten by a venomous snake.
Instead of seeking immediate medical attention, the family took them to a traditional healer, delaying critical treatment.
The victims, Prithviraj Harijan and his sister Amita Harijan, were bitten while sleeping at home. Believing that the healer could cure them, the family avoided the hospital. When their condition worsened, they were finally taken to Umerkote Sub-Divisional Hospital, where doctors confirmed both had died before arrival.
District Chief Medical Officer Dr. Santosh Kumar Panda expressed concern over the continued reliance on unscientific practices. “Many lives are lost due to lack of awareness and education. We must promote scientific thinking and timely medical intervention,” he said.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for public health awareness campaigns in tribal and rural regions of Odisha.
