Shahdol, Nov 21, 2023 : In a shocking incident in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district, a one-and-a-half-month-old infant suffering from pneumonia was subjected to over 40 brandings with a hot iron rod by a traditional birth attendant (dai). The misguided attempt at “treatment” has led to the booking of the dai, Booti Bai Baiga, along with the baby’s mother, Betlwati Baiga, and grandfather, Rajani Baiga.
The child, bearing scars on the neck, stomach, and various body parts, was initially taken to a hospital when his condition worsened earlier this month. Currently receiving treatment at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Shahdol, the infant is reported to be in stable condition. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Traditional birth attendants, locally known as “dai,” are often sought after in villages for medical assistance, despite their lack of formal medical training.
The family, residents of Hardi village, engaged the services of the dai on November 4, who allegedly used a hot iron rod on the child more than 40 times in an attempt to treat pneumonia, according to officials.
“A case has been filed against the dai, the baby’s mother, and grandfather under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act,” stated a senior police officer.
Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. RS Pandey commented, “The family of the infant boy got the hot iron treatment done at their home from a ‘dai’.”
Following the deterioration of the baby’s health, he was initially taken to the district hospital and subsequently referred to the medical college for treatment.
Dr. Nishant Prabhakar, head of the pediatrics department at the medical college, revealed that the baby had been branded with a hot iron rod both at birth and again when suffering from pneumonia. The incident has prompted a health team to investigate the practice in tribal-dominated areas of the district.
This horrifying incident echoes previous cases in the region, including the exhumation of a two-and-a-half-month-old girl’s body in February, who had allegedly been branded more than 50 times with a hot iron rod for pneumonia treatment. Another case involved a three-month-old girl subjected to branding in the same district during the same month. Authorities continue to grapple with such distressing instances of superstition-driven practices in the area. (With agency inputs)
Barbaric Treatment: Infant Branded with Hot Iron Rod for Pneumonia in Madhya Pradesh; Three Booked
