By Chioma Obinna

Burns and plastic surgeons at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi Lagos, NOHL, have said that prevention of burns remains a better alternative to allowing a burns injury to occur as treatment cost is out of reach of majority of Nigerians.

They say a burn which is a type of injury to the skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals or radiation, do not only leave the patient with pains but with physical and psychological scars that may lead to other chronic conditions.

LAUNCH: From left – Chief Fire Superintendent, Federal Fire Training School, Mr. Micheal Oswere, and the Head, Burns & Plastic Surgery Department, NOHL and a Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Dr Folake Abikoye during the public launch of Fire Action Sticker in Lagos.

Speaking during a Nationwide Public Awareness Programme/10 kilometre walk to mark this year’s Burn Awareness Week in Lagos, themed: “Let’s take a Walk to prevent Burns”,  The Medical Director, NOHL, Dr Olatunji Odunubi, said burns are priority in healthcare as many lives are lost when they occur.

“Burns are very painful and treatment is very expensive. Again, it takes a long time to heal.”

Represented by the Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Head, Burns and Plastic Surgery Department, Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi Lagos, Dr Folake Abikoye, explained that many burns patients discharge themselves from the hospital due to huge cost of treatment and most of them end up dying depending on the severity of the case.

“We intend to see so many careless and helpless people sustain injuries. Most of these people are in the workforce, particularly those who work in factories.  And the number is usually high when there is fuel scarcity.

“Aside from fuel scarcity NOHL are so many careless practices. People tend to fuel their generators while switched on. Some refuel theirs while answering calls or using candle but we see over 50 patients with severe burns monthly during incessant fuel scarcity in the country.”

Noting that burns are preventable, under what he described as ‘Burn Prevention: Do’s and Don’ts’, Odunubi who lamented that Nigerians are yet to be burn aware, explained that  there is need to keep deadly fire from the home.

“There are so many safety precautions. In the workplace, organisations should make available safety points. Many organisations do not have fire extinguisher and muster points where they can gather if there is fire.

“For children, as they grow, they tend to explore, they go to sockets, you can block those points to avoid them putting metal objects in the points.” Scalds are the cause of burn injuries. Always check the temperature of children’s bath water. Do not leave boiling water on the floor. Do not leave children unattended in kitchen.

When there is gas leak, open doors and windows and shut off gas valve. Do not store petrol at home, do not take mobile phones near petrol and do not refuel while generator is still working.  Do not operate home appliances with bare feet or wet hands. Do not tamper with electrical cables if you are not trained to do so.  In case of electrocution, use a long wooden stick to dislodge victim,” he added.

The highlight of the event was the official launch of ‘Fire Acton Sticker’ as part of strategies to spread the message on burn prevention.