Keonjhar: Even as superstition is prevalent in tribal society due to illiteracy and lack of awareness and poverty in parts of Keonjhar district, ailing people are reportedly at its receiving end in remote pockets.
In separate incidents, two babies were branded to heal their illness. The matter came to fore Sunday when the two babies were admitted to the district headquarters hospital. Their condition was stated to be critical.
According to reports, the one and a half years old daughter Amita of Durga Mahakud in Kusumita village was down with malaria for three days.
Her family members took her to Baradapal primary health centre, but they had to return dejected as the PHC was locked. No doctor turns up at the PHC, it was learnt. As her parents were unable to afford the bus fare, they could not bring the baby to the district headquarters hospital, which is 15 km away.
Her parents were hopeless and finally took their baby to a quack Saturday evening. The quack branded the baby thrice following which her condition turned critical.
A social activist of the area took the baby to the district headquarters hospital at about 10 pm.
Durga Mahakud, father of the baby girl, said he could not bring the child to the DHH for lack of money. “As were we were advised by the local people to brand her, we did it. As she did not get well, we brought her to the hospital,” Mahakud added.
The other incident took place at Bareiguda under Harichandanpur block. Lina Juanga of this village had delivered a baby boy 12 days ago. But when the baby’s cut-off umbilical cord did not heal after several days, his grandmother banded him.
However, soon the baby’s condition grew critical and he was admitted to the district headquarters hospital.
Chief district medical officer (CDMO) Dr Kabindra Prasad Sahu said the babies are being treated and their condition was stable.
“For lack of awareness, the babies were branded and fell sick. They are responding to treatment,” he added.
Social activists and intellectuals underscored the need for awareness against branding and superstition in tribal pockets, apart from ensuring healthcare services in their areas. PNN
