On January 11, a 21-year-old pregnant woman from Swanda in ward 6 of Sayal Rural Municipality suffered from labour but instead of taking her to the Dallekh Birthing Centre, about 15 minutes’ walk from her house, her family members took her to a local faith healer.

The faith healer convinced her family that they should follow some rituals to ensure an uncomplicated birth. The family followed his advice, but the pregnant woman’s condition did not improve. When all else failed, the family members took the pregnant woman to the Doti District Hospital, about an hour from Swanda.

Dr Nirajan Shrestha at the hospital suggested conducting a C-section (caesarean section) for the safe delivery of the baby and for the health of the mother. But the family refused since the faith healer had advised against it.

“We even tried to convince the pregnant woman’s husband, but he also forbade us to conduct any surgeries,” said Shrestha. “The family only agreed to a surgery after the woman’s condition deteriorated. But it was too late by then. The baby had already died in the womb.”

The young woman is struggling to cope with the loss. She blames herself for the fate of her baby. “I don’t know if I should have trusted the faith healer. But I do know that the doctor was right when he recommended surgery,” she said. “I think I am being punished for the sins of my past life.”

Another 27-year-old woman from Dallekh village in the rural municipality lost her three-day-old girl four months ago due to a lack of timely medical treatment. A day after she was discharged from the District Hospital where she had delivered her baby, she felt something was not right with her newborn, so she took her to the local health post where the health workers suspected pneumonia. “They told me to take her to a fully-facilitated hospital because she needs to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), but my family members insisted on taking her to a faith healer instead,” she said.

The faith healer advised the new mother and her family to keep the newborn at home. “He said he would pray for my baby and she would be fine. He said he would use his healing powers. But my baby did not survive,” she said.

According to Laxmi Bam, auxiliary nurse midwife of Dallekh Birthing Centre, people still hold faith healers in high regard and ignore medical advice due to which several pregnant women, infants and patients lose their lives.

“People here first seek out the faith healer before consulting a health professional. They are highly superstitious and fear retribution if they go against the wishes of the faith healers,” said Bam. “They talk about the old days when faith healers saved them in the absence of health services in the villages. I have seen many people lose their lives due to delays in medical treatment.”

Harikala Devi Singh, a 52-year-old woman from ward 4 of Dauda in Sayal Rural Municipality, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for a decade visited a faith healer every day seeking treatment for her condition.

When local health workers suggested she seek medical help for her condition, the locals warned her against it. But six months ago when she could no longer take the pain, her family took her to Dhangadhi-based Seti Hospital for treatment. Her condition has improved over time after regular treatment at the hospital.

“I cannot believe the treatment from the hospital would help me this much. I stayed away from hospitals because of societal pressure, but now I won’t let old customs and people’s ignorance stop me from taking medical help,” she said.

Dharma Joshi, chairman of Sayal Rural Municipality, said that several patients suffering from various illnesses still go to faith healers due to a lack of awareness, knowledge and a deep-seated fear of angering their gods.

“People go running to the healers for all sorts of medical conditions from gastritis to headaches to chronic illnesses. Some do it under family pressure while some follow their faith. The healers also earn good money from the donations of the visitors,” said Joshi. “They often manipulate the villagers and engage in fear-mongering in the name of religion,” said Joshi.

According to Govinda Chand, attorney at the Office of the District Attorney, Doti, people who are deprived of medical care after being advised against it by faith healers do not take legal actions against the faith healers for loss of life due to negligence.

“People are afraid to file police complaints against faith healers. If a victim who has suffered a loss due to a faith healer lodges a police complaint, action can be taken against the faith healer,” said Chand.