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Director Bhabagrahi Rath said, “So far, 77 needles have been retrieved from the woman’s head in two surgeries. Fortunately, the needles have not caused any bone injuries, but there are soft tissue injuries on her head.” The patient is under observation and will be checked for other issues for which she visited the sorcerer, Rath added.
He noted it is premature to assume the problems were psychological and emphasised the need for thorough diagnosis.
The woman, referred from Bolangir to VIMSAR due to pain and infection risk, is out of danger but will remain under post-operative care for about a week.
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Despite initial removal of eight needles, her condition did not improve, prompting her referral to VIMSAR, where 70 more needles were removed.
Reshma, frequently ill since her mother’s death four years ago, sought help from a sorcerer in 2021. The family discovered the needles’ presence recently when Reshma complained of pain.
The fraud doctor has been arrested, and Kantabanji police are investigating if there were other victims subjected to needle piercing by the accused.