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Avoidable mishaps leave thousands of children scarred
Preventable accidents that harm children have been increasing in homes and schools and health official say parents are being irresponsible.
Last year, more than 39,000 children were brought into the Lady Ridgeway Hospital alone for treatment for falls, cuts and burns and the like.
The director of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Dr Kumara Wickremasinghe, said many accidents are avoidable.
“When they come for treatment we advise them on the dangers of accidents. Social awareness programmes are important, because many accidents could have been avoided if adults around them had been more vigilant,’’ he said.
The medical officer in charge of the accident service of the LRH, Dr Dulani Amarasena, said injuries from falls, cuts, burns, animal bites, and road accidents, are common.
“Most parents don’t intentionally turn a blind eye and act negligently unless the child belongs to a broken family where the parents purposely ignore their children,’’ she said.
Many parents claim not have foreseen accidents, Dr Amarasena said, adding that they are being ignorant.
“Children should be under the supervision of an adult at all times whether it be in school, at home or in the playground,’’ she said.
Dr. Amarasena points out that it is important to educate children about dangers than to restrict their activities.
The accident service of the LRH received 38,707 patients in 2016. Of these 17,215 patients were admitted due to injuries caused by falls and 3,833 suffered from animal bites. Also, 1,012 were admitted due to road accidents. Further, 923 were brought in for cut injuries and 649 for burns.
Meanwhile, 39,897 children were admitted in 2017, out of which 18,626 sought treatment for injuries from falls, 4,489 suffered from animal bites. And 1,071 were admitted due to road accidents. Moreover, 1,001 were admitted due to cut injuries, and 590 suffered from burns.
“Every year, the number of accidents involving children has increased and this issue has to be addressed in different angles,’’ said Dr Gamini Jayaweera, the author of ‘Anathuru Walakamu’ written to create awareness of child safety. He said attention given to the subject is insufficient and it is important to educate children, parents, and teachers.
He believes that most accidents are preventable; the only problem is whether or not the parents and the adults are aware of the consequences of certain acts of children when they are unsupervised or not well informed.
“Accidents can cause permanent disabilities, or death in the most unfortunate occasions, which is again preventable if adequate measure were taken by adults in educating the child,’’ he emphasised.
Meanwhile Former National Child Protection Authority chairman Harendra De Silva says that having a separate authority to look into safety issues involving children will be another white elephant and instead Medical Officers of Health (MOH) and the local Police can look into such matters.
“The society we live in lacks civic consciousness. People have to change their behaviour and attitude to prevent such accidents,” he said