Bhubaneswar, March 3 – A one-month-old baby boy was subjected to a shocking and dangerous traditional practice in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district, where he was branded with a hot iron rod approximately 40 times in an attempt to cure a fever. The child, who resides in Phundelpada village under Gambhariguda panchayat in the Chandahandi block, was later admitted to a government hospital after his condition worsened.
According to officials, the infant was initially suffering from a high fever and constant crying about ten days ago. The family, believing the child was afflicted by an evil spirit, opted for the superstitious practice of branding. This procedure involves pressing hot metal on the body, with the belief that it can cure illnesses.
Dr. Santosh Kumar Panda, the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Nabarangpur, visited the hospital and reported that the baby had 30 to 40 branding marks on his belly and head. "These marks are a result of an archaic belief that branding with hot metal will expel evil spirits and cure diseases," he stated.
When the infant’s health deteriorated further, the family sought medical help, and the baby was rushed to the Umerkote Sub-Divisional Hospital. Dr. Panda confirmed that the child’s condition is now stable, though the injuries caused by the branding remain a concern.
The CDMO also emphasized that such practices, unfortunately, continue in some of the region's remote areas, despite efforts to discourage them. The health department has vowed to focus on raising awareness in the Chandahandi block, urging families to seek medical attention rather than relying on harmful superstitions.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater healthcare awareness and the importance of combating such dangerous traditional practices that put children's lives at risk.
According to officials, the infant was initially suffering from a high fever and constant crying about ten days ago. The family, believing the child was afflicted by an evil spirit, opted for the superstitious practice of branding. This procedure involves pressing hot metal on the body, with the belief that it can cure illnesses.
Dr. Santosh Kumar Panda, the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Nabarangpur, visited the hospital and reported that the baby had 30 to 40 branding marks on his belly and head. "These marks are a result of an archaic belief that branding with hot metal will expel evil spirits and cure diseases," he stated.
When the infant’s health deteriorated further, the family sought medical help, and the baby was rushed to the Umerkote Sub-Divisional Hospital. Dr. Panda confirmed that the child’s condition is now stable, though the injuries caused by the branding remain a concern.
The CDMO also emphasized that such practices, unfortunately, continue in some of the region's remote areas, despite efforts to discourage them. The health department has vowed to focus on raising awareness in the Chandahandi block, urging families to seek medical attention rather than relying on harmful superstitions.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater healthcare awareness and the importance of combating such dangerous traditional practices that put children's lives at risk.
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