4-year-old boy branded with iron rod in Malkangiri dies

Koraput: After Nabarangpur, a child died in tribal-dominated Malkangiri district on Thursday after he was branded with a hot iron rod to cure his ailments. In the past two months, at least three children have died and over 30 kids have been admitted to hospitals with serious injuries caused by branding in Nabarangpur district.
The latest victim of the horrific practice - a four-year-old boy - belonged to Sukuraguda village under Korkunda block of the district.He was admitted to the district headquarters hospital on Wednesday in a serious condition after being branded. The child succumbed to his injuries around 10 am on Thursday while undergoing treatment.
According to the child's father, identified as one Gangaram Madhi, around two weeks ago, his son came down with high fever and his stomach was unnaturally bloated. "As I was not at home, my father-in-law branded my son to cure him of his ailment. However, instead of improving, his health further deteriorated. Hence, we admitted him at the hospital," Madhi said.
Doctors at Malkangiri hospital said when the child was admitted his condition was serious as he was suffering from septicaemia. "Due to branding, the infection had spread to other parts of his body. Though he was given blood transfusion, he didn't respond to the treatment," said medicine specialist Prafulla Behera.
Due to branding infection had spread to other parts of his body. Though he was given blood transfusion but didnt respond to the treatment, said medicine specialist Prafulla Behera of Malkangiri hospital.
Sources said owing to illiteracy and ignorance and under the influence of superstitions tribals in these districts still depend on the traditional methods of treatment to cure the ailments of their children which often turned fatal.
Massive awareness among the rural masses is required to arrest such situations. Also, healthcare facilities should be strengthened in interior pockets so that people instead of approaching traditional healers will come to health centres for treatment, said Ram Patnaik, an activist of Malkangiri.