7-month old branded with hot iron

Jeypore: In yet another instance of cruel traditional practice to cure disease, a seven-month old baby has been branded with hot iron by a village quack to cure it’s ailment at Bhaluguda under Jeypore block in Koraput district.

Critically injured baby has been admitted to Jeypore sub-divisional hospital for treatment. "The baby is suffering from pneumonia after branding of hot iron. It has been administered required saline and injection as it has problem in breathing. Now, its' condition is stable. We may refer to ICU if needed", paediatrician Sandeep Tripathy said.

The baby suffered from a measles type diseases and it's navel was infected following which the baby was branded with hot nail by a disari (quack), the doctor said.

Mother took the baby to a village quack for hot iron treatment after infection in navel showed no sign of improvement. "First my baby suffered from fever and I took it to an old woman near our village, who branded with hot iron and after that my bay got cured. But, this time, I rushed to hospital as the condition deteriorated", mother of the baby, Ranjita Parja, said.

Recently, a number of such cases were reported from Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada and other tribal dominated districts of the State.