Raisuan: Amid reports that forested and hilly pockets in Keonjhar have no access to healthcare, poor tribals take to unscientific method like branding to heal their ailing kids. Such cases are on the rise in Raisuan area.
After a brief hiatus, a 20-day-old kid reportedly died due to branding at Madarangajodi in Mahadeijoda panchayat under Raisuan block.
According to reports, Rina Munda, wife of Nathura Munda, delivered a baby 20 days ago at her house. When ASHA came to know about it, she took the mother and child in an auto rickshaw to Padmapur community health centre.
The couple said that they had to pay Rs 1,100 towards conveyance and medical expenses. Now the question arises how Mamata Yojana for pregnant women works. The woman was supposed to get Rs 1,400 after delivery, but not a single penny was given to her.
Thereafter, condition of the child started deteriorating at home. The couple said that they were broke and unable to take the kid to the hospital for treatment.
Under the circumstances, they got the child branded as a means of treatment, but the kid succumbed to it.
Locals said that within a year, six kids have died due to branding.
Social activist Sanjay Sahu said that the government has failed to provide healthcare to the people while the later have no way but to seek traditional healing. PNN
