Jharkhand: Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences on alert for possible rise in burn cases

RANCHI: The burn unit of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) is geared up to handle patients, which may see a rise in the number owing to bursting of firecrackers and lighting of lamps during the festive season.
Rims sources said the burn unit has 18 fully equipped beds, which may be increased to 24, if needed. The doctors and nurses are deputed round the clock.
The head of the department of surgery, Dr Sheetal Malua said, “The burn unit is an emergency ward, where the alertness level is high throughout the year. In view of upcoming Diwali festival, we have ordered for extra bandage, drugs and creams. The doctors have been directed to be on duty.”
Malua advised that in case of burn injury, the affected area should be submersed in cold water for at least 10 minutes. The victim should then be taken to the nearest clinic. In cases with 25 per cent and above burn injuries, the patients need hospitalisation.
Patients with less than even 10 per cent facial injury, require immediate medical attention, he added.
Rims public relations officer Dr Rajiv Ranjan said other wards might also be used for less serious burn cases, if the number of patients is very high.