The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) may soon grapple with congestion as cases of burns and scalds increase in the Ashanti and adjoining regions.
The department recorded 38 cases of severe burn admissions in the last three months, representing an average of 13 cases per month.
Health officers at the hospital attribute the increasing cases to delayed reports of accidents to hospitals and the mismanagement of inflamed wounds at their initial stages by parents and some medical professionals.
More than 80% of childhood burn injuries occur in and around the home.
Children below the age of five are identified as the majority group. They endure excruciating pains from inflamed skin burns caused by hot liquids like water, soup and porridge.
Research indicates most burn injuries are recorded in rural Ghana and frequently occurred in households with unsafe cooking arrangements.
The accidents may be preventable with improved understanding of modifiable household risk factors and targeted initiatives.
However, little is known about these risks as most households lack protective mechanisms while caregivers like pregnant mothers tend to neglect their older children.
Dr. Emile Tannor is a consultant at the Plastic and Reconstructive Department of KATH.
“When the people are many, it’s very difficult to handle the kids. Women most of the time the pregnant ones tend to neglect older children. If I am cooking and a child is there that I have to put a barrier there so that the child cannot go to the fire,” he said on Luv FM on Thursday.
Applying gentian violet, toothpaste, smearing of chewed cola, and sometimes cow dung on inflamed wounds are some traditional remedies employed in some households.
Dr. Tannor reveals such treatment exacerbates the condition and advises parents to simply wash the wounds with tap water.
“Normally if you are burned by flame, for the first aid you’ll just have to pour tap water on it for 10 to 15 minutes. Not the refrigerated one: that would worsen it. After that you put a cloth on it and apply vaseline then you bring them to the hospital. If the degree needs critical care, we will admit,” he said.
Inexperienced medical doctors are being advised to enhance their skills and to follow the right referral procedures as they have been identified to avoid contributing to the growing statistics.
Senior Resident Consultant, Dr. Gilbert Obeng is worried children have to suffer low self-esteem after recovering with disfigured faces or body parts.
“There is no way these children won’t be teased by their friends because their disfigured faces or parts are exposed to the outside world. They tend to lose confidence in themselves. Also, because they have to spend some time close to six months at the hospital, they became rusty in academics and lag behind on academic progress,” he said.
People at high risk of burns include pediatrics (below five years), aged persons (above 65 years), people living with disabilities, and persons with comorbidities.
Meanwhile, parents can sue medical officers for mistreatment and mismanagement of burn or scald cases.
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