A 22-day-old baby boy has been admitted to the Sub-Divisional Hospital here in a serious condition after he was branded with hot iron rods all over his body on the advice of a local healer to cure his ailments.
Khageshwar Pradhani and his wife, residents of Jhariguda village in Borigumma block, were blessed with the baby 22 days ago. As the baby was not suckling mother’s breast, the couple approached a quack on the advice of neighbours. The quack advised them to brand the neonate to get over the health issues.
After the child was branded, his condition began deteriorating. The infant developed mouth ulcers too. The family members had kept the baby at home without providing him medical care. When the baby’s condition worsened, they were forced to admit him to the hospital.
It may be recalled that a quack had been arrested last month for branding a minor at Butipadar village in Nabarangpur district.