Dist. Administration gears up to prevent branding in Nabarangpur.

Nabarangpur: BASANT RATH. 

Despite significant advancement in medical science, people believe in superstition to get rid of health complications and diseases. This practice of traditional branding or inflicting burns over the body as a remedy for illnesses such is a harmful practice prevalent in the district. Children and young babies are worst affected by this practice, which causes serious ill health and delays in seeking proper medical care. The child is taken to a local traditional healer who administers the brand mark on different parts of the body based on where he thinks is the place where the disease lurks. The most commonly used instrument is the tip of a hot metal rod. Other objects like heated nails, wires, incense sticks and hot bangles can also be used to brand the child. The children usually belong to a poor illiterate rural family where branding is a continuing tradition prevalent through many generations 

In a nod to prevent branding the district administration  will launch start Jyoti Campaign from 28^th Feb in the blocks and village level said collector Ms.Rashmita Panda, we selected some of master trainers who will educate at block levels and village levels  on the evils of branding and how to benefit from health services. Three A’s are the key role in the village the Anganwadi, Asha, ANM, they are the most powerful women’s at their village when they tell the evils of branding the people could be easily understand’ correspondingly we identified 4033 disari’s they are also trained not to do the traditional practice branding is a type of child abuse and should be condemned by the society. Every measure should be taken to educate the rural families against this inhuman medieval custom Ms.Panda added.

Though people go for branding, there is no scientific basis for 

getting cured. “It is blind belief. Branding a human being with hot 

iron rod may lead to serious health complications and one may 

develop septicaemia.  People should desist from such practice for 

curing diseases said Manorama Majhi, master trainer of the 

campaign.