Namungoona inferno: Mulago burns unit boosted

BY JEFF ANDREW LULE   AND MACKLINE KATUSIIME       

National Referral Hospital, Mulago burns unit has received new equipment and other items to facilitate the treatment of burns victims of the Namungoona inferno and others admitted.

The items worth sh11m were donated by the Infectious Disease Institute (IDI), to Mulago authorities.

Handing over the items, the IDI executive director, Dr. Alex Coutinho said the donation is aimed at saving lives of the Namumgoona inferno and others burns patients.

The items were handed over to the hospital director, Dr Baterana Byarugaba, and the burns unit head, Dr. Robert Ssentongo in the presence of the burns committee board chairman, Tom Butiime.

Items include two Suction machines which are used to suck out the unwanted substances like pus and other bad materials that might have filled the breathing organs of the victims. The unit did not have suction machines.

Others are; Nonini Pulse oximeter (2p), theatre clogs (20 pairs), Glucometer Accu-check (2) sets each with 10 strips, vacutainer red top specimen Bottles (300), reusable theatre gown (40), cellular washable blankets (40), plastic disposable gown (105), and 25kg nutri-porridge (10 bags).     

Coutinho said facilities at the unit were stretched to cater for all victims because of the overwhelming numbers, while some essential equipment like suction machines were lacking.

“We focused on the most essential items that are needed for the burns victims which have been lacking. We ask other organizations to support the unit to save lives,” he added.

Dr. Sentongo said the items were very essential and timely. He stressed that they get three patients who are severely burnt on a daily basis. “But we get others burns patients. Last year alone we got 2016 burn injuries,” he added.

He said the problem of inflammable substances is the inhalation of dangerous fumes which affect the breathing system of the patients thus leading to death.

Ssentongo noted that on average it costs sh100m to treat a severely burnt patient including feeding, human resource and physiotherapy among other services, a treatment which takes not less than one month.

Dr Byarugaba said they intend to expand and set up a special burns unit which is well equipped.