Over 60 people get free surgery for acid burns

Jul 06, 2008

OVER 60 acid and burn victims have cause for joy after Mulago Hospital surgeons and Interplast Italy offered them free plastic surgery.

By Flavia Nakagwa

OVER 60 acid and burn victims have cause for joy after Mulago Hospital surgeons and Interplast Italy offered them free plastic surgery.

Through an ongoing clinic at the hospital, 35 people with severe burns, mostly children, had been corrected by Thursday.

The specialist plastic surgeon, Dr. Edris Kalanzi, said the 25 acid victims had deformities that needed urgent care.

He told The New Vision at the hospital theatre that they had over 300 cases and many victims had necks attached to the chest, lips attached to the chin and eyes that could not close even during sleep due to the severe burns.

Interplast Italy is a charity that supplies plastic surgery equipment to underdeveloped countries and also treats victims.

Mulago, Kalanzi pointed out, admitted over 40 cases of burns every month, 70% of who were children.

“We have to take safety measures in homes because many children get burnt due to negligence.”

Kalanzi urged parents to keep children away from cooking areas.

He added that the clinic would next week also treat over 40 people at Nkokonjeru hospital in Mukono district.

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