A three-month-old infant was branded with hot iron by her parents to cure her stomach ailments at Muktapur village under Pallahara block in Angul district.
Following the superstition-based treatment, the baby girl developed serious health problems and was admitted to the Pallahara Sub-Divisional Hospital with serious burn injuries on her stomach.
The child was born to Ajay and Buduni Munda of Muktapur village. The baby suffered from indigestion and her stomach swelled.
Instead of taking her to the hospital, Ajay and Buduni branded her as per the advice of villagers, including some elderly persons.
“As per the advice of my neighbours, we branded her with hot iron to cure her stomach swelling. She got some relief, but her cough continued. So, we admitted her to hospital,” said Ajay. The condition of the baby girl was stated to be stable.
The practice of branding children with hot iron and bangles to cure ailments is rampant in remote areas of the State; and despite awareness drives against the practice, there is no letup in such inhuman treatment.