Burning Medical Issue

Two separate incidents of fire, caused by the leaking of LP gas, startled the nation and raised the question of how safe our LPG gas is. These two incidents that took place in succession have called for robust safety measures to avoid such unfortunate events in the future. The unfortunate events have impelled the authorities to set up enough dedicated hospitals for burn patients in earnest so that burn patients receive treatment in time and are cured.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel and Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhan Raj Acharya had to be referred to Kirtipur Hospital after the hydrogen-filled balloons exploded during an inaugural function in Pokhara. This specific case points to the fact that we need more burn treatment facilities in different parts of the country to deal with emergency cases. On February 6, the Sandar Momo outlet in Kamalpokhari caught fire due to LPG gas leakage. A total of 11 individuals were severely injured in the incident. Of them, four individuals have lost their lives. 

Likewise, a massive fire that broke out in Padam Sher Rai's house in Mahadevsthan of Halesi Tuwachung Municipality- 7, Khotang on Sunday,  caused damage to property worth over Rs. 73 million. The blaze started due to a leak in gas cylinders stored in Rai's hardware shop. The house was destroyed by the fire. Everything in the office of Nirdhan Utthan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha operating on the second floor of the house too was reduced to ashes. 

On one hand, these incidents highlight the danger posed by aging and faulty cylinders and on the other, they show that Nepal lacks immediate medical facilities for the treatment of burn victims. Many LPG gas cylinders are outdated and rusty and lack proper maintenance. The apathy of the regulatory bodies has placed the lives of innocent people in jeopardy.

The absence of regular quality checks and hydraulic testing has led to the leaking of gas and subsequent explosions. Likewise, a significant number of households lack essential safety components like automatic shut-off mechanisms and safety valves in their LPG gas. A large number of the population is unaware of the proper leak detention methods and they still use the smell detection methods to trace any leakage. The proper awareness among the people to handle LPG gas that is highly combustible can significantly reduce the casualties. The combined effort of gas suppliers, regulatory bodies, and the public is essential to enhance the LPG safety standards in Nepal. 

Annually over 40,000 individuals suffer burns and of them, about 1,500 to 2,000 people die of burn injuries. Despite this urgent need, specialised burn treatment facilities are scarce in Nepal. Nepal Cleft and Burn Centre in Kritipur is the only hospital exclusively dedicated to the treatment of burn cases in Nepal. Kritipur Hospital is often overwhelmed by patients and operating beyond its capacity as only a few hospitals in Nepal have dedicated burn units.

 Expanding burn units in regional hospitals is very important. Rehabilitation and post-burn care services are also very important for the proper rehabilitation of burn victims. So, the country should invest in these essential healthcare facilities. We need more hospitals that are exclusively dedicated to burn cases as the current facilities are insufficient to handle the flow of patients.