In yet another such incident, a seven-month-old boy has been branded with hot iron in Nabarangpur district as a healing measure for his ailments.
What is astonishing in this case is that the little boy was branded with hot iron by his own father while Disaris (local healers) and sorcerers usually do this unscientific treatment.
The victim was identified as the son of Rama Ganda and Jayantibai Ganda of Mahubhatta village under Jodinga gram panhayat in the district. The minor was suffering from chest congestion. After bring branded on Friday night, his condition deteriorated.
The baby was admitted to Umerkote Community Health Centre (CHC) in a critical condition and then shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital here.
“It is an age-old practice here. As my father used to follow this, I also followed this. Though I branded my son with hot iron, it didn’t work. His condition worsened after which we took him to hospital,” Rama said.
He said an Anganwadi Worker advised him to take the son to the hospital.
The baby is now under treatment and recuperating. His condition is stated to be stable.
It may be mentioned that at least five such cases have been reported from the district in the last three months of which one minor reportedly died after being branded with hot objects.