Agartala: A tragic case in Tripura’s Dhumachhara Bhud Kishore Para has underscored the deadly consequences of superstition, as a four-year-old boy lost his life to rabies after his family chose traditional rituals over medical treatment.
The child, Manik Tripura, was bitten by a dog over a month ago, sustaining severe injuries.
Despite the availability of healthcare services, his family refrained from seeking medical attention, relying instead on traditional healers, locally known as ojhas.
For weeks, the family turned to rituals, including animal sacrifices, in the belief that spiritual remedies could cure the boy.
However, the delay in administering essential rabies prevention measures allowed the disease to progress unchecked.
On April 11, Manik’s condition deteriorated significantly.
In desperation, his parents rushed him to Manughat Hospital, where doctors referred the child to Dhalai District Hospital for advanced care, but he succumbed to the disease while being transported.
Medical professionals stressed that rabies, once symptoms appear, is almost universally fatal without prompt vaccination.
The doctor at Manu Hospital suggested the urgent need for greater awareness about the dangers of superstition.
Superstitions about health persist across rural India, often delaying critical medical interventions.
While traditional practices sometimes dominate responses to snake bites and other conditions, seeking spiritual remedies for dog bites is rare in Tripura, according to local residents.
Health experts emphasised the importance of targeted campaigns to debunk myths and promote modern medical practices in rural areas.
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The tragedy of Manik Tripura has prompted calls for strengthened outreach programmes and better access to healthcare in remote regions.
Community leaders and medical professionals alike hope that this loss serves as a turning point in combating superstitious practices and improving public health awareness.
