Nabarangpur: In a shocking incident, a six-month-old boy had to be hospitalised in a serious condition Sunday after he was branded 25 times with a hot iron rod to treat him for fever. The inhuman act was reported from Khutiguda village under Papadahandi block in Nabarangpur district.
According to sources, Nanda Bhatra, son of Nakul Bhatra and Janaki Bhatra, was affected by fever a few days ago. The boy was not able to take food properly and his health was deteriorating. Believing branding would cure the baby, his mother took him to a traditional healer who branded the boy 25 times with a hot iron rod.
The boy was branded on his stomach, thighs, knee and legs. Contrary to the parents’ superstitious belief, the branding had worsened the boy’s condition so much that the family members had to rush him to the local primary health centre (PHC) from where he was shifted to the district headquarters hospital.
As the boy’s condition was serious, doctors swung into action and put him in the ICU. “The boy’s health condition had worsened due to branding. He is slowly recovering now after proper treatment. He will be placed under care,” a doctor said.
In the recent past, branding incidents have come down. However, the current case has become a matter of concern once again. Earlier, the administration had directed the ASHAs and Anganwadi workers to spread awareness against branding among residents in tribal and inaccessible areas.
PNN