Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) Thursday directed the Dhenkanal district Collector and Superintendent of Police to probe the alleged use of acid by a quack to treat snakebites putting the life of patients in danger.
Taking a suo motu cognizance, the commission asked the district authorities to submit separate probe reports within 15 days of the receipt of the order.
Notably, despite the rapid progress in medical science, people in remote villages are still falling prey to quacks, leading to a cursed life for the victims. The three victims of Mrudangapalli village under Motanga police limits in Dhenkanal district are instance of this.
According to available information, something bit the toe of a 25-year-old woman August 17 and fearing that she was bitten by snake, the lady was taken to a quack in a nearby village. The practitioner treated her by pouring acid on the affected leg. The next morning, her leg turned black and there were dark blisters.
Similarly, another 45-year-old woman was stung by a scorpion 15 days ago. She was also taken to the same practitioner who treated her in the same way. During treatment, the woman complained of giddiness, and the practitioner smeared acid on her head too.
Instead of getting cured, blisters formed on her entire body. She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Now she is cured but is under severe mental stress due to the black spots on her head.
The third victim of such bogus treatment is 30-year-old Niranjan Behera. A snake fell on him from the roof of his house August 15. He caught hold of the snake with his right hand and threw it away. Fearing the snake might have bitten him, he went to the same practitioner. Following the same treatment process, the quack applied acid on his right hand forcing the patient to undergo unbearable pain. Later, blisters appeared on his hand and some body parts.
On being questioned, the practitioner denied charges of using acid and said that he applies a liquid medicine for treatment using a brush.
When contacted, Forensic Medicine Department, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, additional professor, Dr Sudeepta Ransingh said, “The marks on the hand of the patient look like acid burn marks.”
Meanwhile, the snake helpline, secretary, Subhendu Mallik along with his team visited the area. He reportedly came to know that the particular treatment method is prevalent since 1900.
