Chennai: The department of burns, plastic and reconstructive surgery of Kilpauk medical college and hospital, the only government hospital to have the unit in the city, has placed an addition of 10 beds in the ward to treat patients with cracker injuries during the festival season. Dean, Dr Gunasekaran, says that the department will function full swing for the festival.
He added, “Doctors and nurses from other departments are made available, while additional stock of ointments and antiseptics that are used for burn injuries are kept ready for emergencies.”
Head of the department, Dr Jaganmohan, said patients with burn injuries come one week before Deepavali and three days after the festival. Around 75 patients arrive every year and 50 to 60 persons of them get treated in the outpatient ward for minor injuries and 10 to 15 persons get admitted.
“Last year, the department received 46 outpatients and 10 inpatients during the Deepavali season,” he adds.
Dr Gunasekaran adds that the department has been conducting various awareness programmes in schools for the past one week and educating students on how to enjoy a safe Deepavali.
Students were taught the do’s and don’ts while playing with crackers and informed about first-aid in case of an emergency.
