Phulbani: An issueless couple died after consuming herbal medicine obtained from a traditional healer (quack) in Kandhamal district in the hope of having a child, police said. The deceased were identified as Kahnu Kahnar, 40, and his wife Lalita Kahanr, 35, residents of Nedipanga village under Katringia gram panchayat in Gochhapada police limits. The couple had been married for about 15 years but had no children. Having previously consulted several doctors without success, they eventually turned in desperation to the local traditional practitioner of Daringbadi area, hoping a quack remedy would solve their infertility issue.
They consumed the herbal potion August 23 but later developed severe health complications. The family members, on their return from agricultural work, found the couple seriously ill and admitted them to Phulbani District Headquarters Hospital (DHH). As their condition deteriorated, they were shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Brahmapur. Lalita died there August 24, said the hospital sources. Her body was sent for postmortem and subsequently handed over to relatives, who performed her final rites in the village. Meanwhile, Kahnu, who was also seriously ill, returned home to attend his wife’s funeral Monday.
However, his condition worsened after the cremation, and he also succumbed at his home around 9am Tuesday. The deaths have left the village in mourning, while residents have demanded action against the traditional healer. No formal complaint had been filed at the time of reporting. Gochhapada police inspector Subhrajit Samantaray said police were aware of the incident and an inquiry was underway. The exact cause of death will be established after the investigation and medical examination reports, police said.
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