Minor Siblings Die from Snakebite In Nabarangpur Village
Key Points
Two siblings died from snakebite at Rajpur village in Nabarangpur district.
Family took victims to a traditional healer before hospital.
Health officials stress need for stronger awareness in rural areas.
Nabarangpur, Sept 9: In a heart-wrenching incident, two siblings lost their lives due to a snakebite in Rajpur village under Umerkote block in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district on Tuesday.
The victims were identified as 11-year-old Amita Harijan and her 9-month-old brother Ruturaj Harijan.
According to family members, the siblings were sleeping on Monday night when a venomous snake bit them. Instead of rushing them to the nearest hospital, the family initially took them to a local traditional healer (gunia), hoping for a cure.
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✨As the siblings’ condition worsened, the duo was taken to the Umerkote Sub-Divisional Hospital at around 4 AM. Unfortunately, the attending doctors declared both children dead upon arrival.
This tragic incident has once again highlighted the dangers of relying on traditional healing methods in critical medical emergencies. Despite repeated awareness campaigns urging villagers to seek immediate medical attention in cases of snakebite, such practices persist in remote areas.
District Health Officer Santosh Kumar Panda expressed deep concern over the incident. “We have been conducting awareness drives in rural regions about the importance of timely medical intervention in snakebite cases. However, more intensive efforts are needed to change mindsets and save lives,” he said.