High incidence of burn victims in south India: US Doctor

Vijayawada, Apl 15 (UNI) The high incidence of burn victims in rural India, especially in Karaikal region of Puducherry in south India, is due to explosion of LPG cylinders, Kerosene lamps, self-inflicted burns and domestic violence, a US-based doctor today said.

Addressing a press conference here, Dr Nayana Anne said the incidents could be prevented through educating the people through public awareness programmes.

The doctor was in Karaikkal, along with a team of US-based doctors to help children with cleft lip/palate birth defects to regain the ability to speak and lead more normal lives.

Dr Anne said the team was working with 'Rotaplast International,' a non-profit humanitarian organisation, whose goal was to eliminate the defects among children worldwide by the year 2025.

A 32 member team, consisting of 12 doctors, had conducted a rotaplast volunteer camp in Karaikal from March 31 to April 12 and performed 50 surgeries during the period.

Of the surgeries conducted, 65 per cent were for cleft lip/palate and remaining were burn victims.

The programme was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Canada, with an estimated cost of USD 70,000, and organised by the Rotary Club of Karaikal.

Dr Anne said the proportion of burn victims at Karaikal was much higher than the ratio in other countries.

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