The largest numbers of burn injuries in the world happen in India which could be drastically brought down if it received the focused attention of policymakers, administrators and healthcare personnel, said an eminent expert at the SOA University here on Wednesday.
“India today has the ignominy of being the burns capital of the world where around 40 to 50 per cent of people suffering burn injuries die as against two to four per cent in the developed countries. The situation has to be reversed,” Prof Rajeev B Ahuja, Head, Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, said.
Prof Ahuja, who is also the President of the International Society for Burn Injuries, was addressing a programme “Burns Demand Attention” organised by the SOA Burn Centre and Skin Bank.
Nalco CMD TK Chand and Central Range Fire Officer, Cuttack BB Das also attended the programme chaired by SOA University Vice-Chancellor Prof Amit Banerjee.
Prof Ahuja said around 95 per cent of the burns are caused by accidents with illiteracy, poverty, social customs and unsafe kitchens being crucial contributing factors. A study has found that economic prosperity has a direct impact on reduction of fire accidents as lifestyle changes do contribute towards reduction of fire hazards.
Dr Chand, who narrated his experience about a horrible fire mishap he had to handle at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant in 2013, said the Nalco would extend all support to the SOA Burn Centre and felicitate Dr JK Das, head of the centre with an award. He also announced that the Nalco would adopt young girl Sangeeta, who suffered serious burn injuries disfiguring her.
Prof Banerjee said the SOA University would take up joint awareness programmes with the Nalco on fire accidents.
BB Das said kitchen and electric short circuits are the major causes of fire accidents.