Joda/Keonjhar: In yet another incident that highlights the prevailing superstitious practices in tribal-dominated areas, a five-year-old boy was branded with hot iron by his parents and a neighbour as his fever did not subside at Balda Basti under Joda block in Keonjhar district Thursday.
The child was admitted to the district headquarters hospital in a critical condition. According to reports, the minor son of Purnachandra Dehuri was down with fever for three days. As his fever did not subside, Purnachandra was worried over his son’s condition. He, his wife and a neighbour branded Rathi Dehuri with hot iron on neck, waist and knees. The boy swooned soon after being branded.
“However, minutes later, the boy regained his sense and was taken to Dr MK Datt, a private practitioner, at Bamebari. But Datt referred the boy to the district headquarters hospital,” said Prafulla Dehuri, brother of Purnachandra.
Prafulla alleged local people remain deprived of healthcare facilities in their periphery. A government hospital is at Kalimati, but it remains closed most of the time, leaving local sick people at the mercy of quacks and traditional healers, he said.
Child specialist Dr Ajay Kumar Mohanty at the district headquarters hospital stated that such incidents are the outcome of superstition and lack of awareness among people.
The child is afflicted with brain fever, the doctor said.
Lata Dehuri and Saita Dehuri, other locals, alleged that when healthcare facilities are not available in the nearby areas, people take to superstitious practices as a last resort to heal their patients. A similar incident had taken place in Harichandanpur block two months ago. A five-year-old boy was branded with hot iron at 16 places of his body. PNN