A six-year-old girl named Kamaleswari was branded with hot metal at least 60 times by her family in Raighar Tehsil of Nabarangpur district.
The shocking event unfolded as a desperate attempt to cure her prolonged fever and cough.
The child’s family, after seeking medical treatment from two hospitals without success, resorted to the traditional practice, believing it to be a remedy for her ailments. The matter came to light when Kamaleswari’s condition deteriorated, leading to her hospitalization at the district headquarters hospital.
This is not an isolated case. Just a day earlier, a similar incident was reported in the district where a one-month-old baby boy, Bhavyansu Nayak, was branded over 30 times on his belly in an attempt to cure his fever. The baby is currently receiving treatment at Umerkote Hospital.
Health officials, including CDMO Santosh Kumar Panda, have confirmed both incidents, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness campaigns to educate rural populations about the dangers of such harmful practices. Efforts are being made to prevent these superstitious rituals and ensure better healthcare access in these areas.
