Number of burn patients rising alarmingly at RMCH

RAJSHAHI, Dec 12: Jahanara Begum (56), a housewife from Bagmara upazila of Rajshahi, was standing on the stove to warm herself after finishing cooking. She was a little careless when the lower part of her saree caught fire. In this incident on December 5, her body was burnt from the waist down.

Later, her family members had her admitted to the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Rajshahi Medical

College (RMC) Hospital. The housewife has been undergoing treatment there since then. She is writhing in severe pain in the hospital bed as she suffered burns up to 18 per cent of her body.

A 9-year-old child named Airin Akhter is undergoing treatment in the bed next to Jahanara Begum. She fell into hot cooked pulses and suffered burns on her face, throat, chest and various parts of her body.

When asked, the child's mother said, "I was cooking while leaving my daughter to study in a separate room. But the daughter suddenly ran into the kitchen, lost control and fell into the hot dal."

According to the doctors at the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of RMCH, the number of patients suffering from electric shock, diabetic food ulcer, cancer and road accident injuries is increasing day by day in the department.

Some even have to have their body parts amputated. The truth of the doctors' words is confirmed in a recent incident.

Md Khalil, 50, a resident of Naogaon Sadar, who was admitted to the department after receiving burns from electric shock, underwent surgery and had both hands amputated below the elbow. He is a mason by profession.

Md. Khalil said, "While working on the roof of a building, I lost consciousness after being electrocuted from a street pole wire. Later, I was admitted to a local hospital. As my condition was serious, I was admitted to the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of RMCH on November 25. Immediately an operation was performed where my both hands were amputated below the elbow. 18 percent of my body, including my chest and back, were burned."

According to the register of RMCH Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit, burn patients from different parts of the country's northern region come to the hospital for treatment. Patients are here all year round.

Their number is increasing day by day. Last year, 1,180 people

received treatment with burns here, but in just 10 months till October this year, 1,222 patients were admitted.

Among them, 533 were burnt from fire and 519 were liquid burn patients. There were 317 children. That number may increase further in winter.

According to the register, 61 burn patients received treatment at RMCH's burn unit in the first nine days of the current month. Of them, nine have returned home after receiving first aid, but 52 are currently admitted. Thirty-five of them are children.

Dr Afroza Nazneen, head of the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit, said, "People of our country get burnt more by hot water, milk, curry or any hot liquid. Apart from this, they are victims of electrical burns, i.e. fires from electrical short circuits. Besides, they are also victims of burns from direct contact with fire."

She also said, "While earlier patients used to come only in winter, now there are patients all year round due to electrical and liquid burns. Children are most affected from liquid burns. This is increasing due to lack of awareness. As a result, many people have to have their hands or feet amputated. Many are not able to be saved. After treatment, many people are living with disabilities in their hands, feet or face.

Public awareness is very important to avoid burns or burn-related disabilities."

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