In a shinning example of medical excellence and triumph, a 35-year-old man suffering from a severe case of tetanus has made a full recovery- thanks to the tireless efforts of doctors and medical staff at Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Hospital, Agartala.
The patient, Bikash Debbarma from Shikaribari in Khowai’s Champahaor area, was discharged on Friday after making a full recovery.
He was initially admitted to Agartala's GBP Hospital on May 12, 2025, in a critical condition — unable to walk, speak, or even lift his head.
Doctors at GBP Hospital began treatment immediately and soon discovered that Bikash had recently suffered a cut on his left foot. Crucially, he had not received a tetanus vaccination and had only taken some over-the-counter medicines.
Suspecting tetanus based on his symptoms, he was promptly referred to IGM Hospital for specialized care.
On May 15, Bikash was admitted to the CDC unit of IGM Hospital with signs of tetanus — jaw muscle spasms (trismus), opisthotonus (severe muscle spasms causing backward arching), and breathing difficulties.
Under the supervision of medicine specialist Dr. Debesh Debbarma, further tests confirmed a tetanus infection caused by Clostridium tetani — a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease that causes intense muscle stiffness and convulsions.
According to the medical team, the condition was dire: the patient's face had begun to contort and his back was arching severely — symptoms associated with high mortality risk in tetanus cases.
The hospital swiftly mobilized its team led by medicine specialists Dr. Bibhuranjan Das, Dr. Nitish Das and Dr. Debipriya Saha. With the dedicated involvement of PG trainee doctors and nursing officers, the treatment began without delay.
Bikash was placed in a dark room to prevent stimulation-induced spasms — a standard protocol in tetanus management. Over the next few days, he began responding to treatment and was able to start walking again within just two days.
Support from IGM Hospital's physiotherapy unit and continuous medical supervision accelerated his recovery. He received physiotherapy training within the hospital to aid his rehabilitation.
On Friday, Bikash Debbarma walked out of the hospital — tetanus-free and healthy. His recovery is a testament to the exemplary coordination and expertise of IGM Hospital's medical, physiotherapy, and nursing teams.
This rare case of tetanus highlights the crucial importance of timely vaccination. Tetanus was once a major cause of death among both children and adults.
Bikash’s family expressed heartfelt gratitude to the entire medical team of IGM Hospital, praising their relentless dedication and life-saving intervention.