Superstition still reigns supreme over science in many parts of the State. In a glaring example, mantras were chanted by a sorcerer at a Government hospital to save a policewoman undergoing treatment following a snakebite.
The incident took place at the Chhendipada Community Health Centre (CHC) in Angul district.
The woman, who is a police constable, was admitted to the hospital following snakebite. Though she was undergoing treatment at the hospital, her family members called up a sorcerer, Chandra Nayak of Jambunali village, to save her life.
The sorcerer recited mantras into her ears and performed other spiritual practices on her. However, the woman was later shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) after her condition deteriorated further.
In a similar incident, family members of one Siddheswar Jena (47), who died undergoing treatment following snakebite at the GK Bhattar Government hospital in Jaleswar of Baleswar district, sought the help of a sorcerer to bring him to life.
Jena, a resident of Mahisamunda village under Gopinathpur panchayat, was bitten by a venomous snake in his farmland on Thursday night and was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition. After he died, his family and relatives called up the sorcerer to save his life.
However, no official of the hospital was available to comment on the matter.