Dubai: The timely intervention of a team of health-care staff from Rashid Hospital and the Dubai Ambulance Corporation saved the lives of two young Emiratis trapped in an automobile on fire.
Three weeks ago, these men, in their early twenties, were rushed to Rashid Hospital by ambulance officials after their car caught fire. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Dr Marwan Al Zarouni, head of the burns and plastic surgery unit at Rashid Hospital, said: “The men had 40 per cent second degree superficial and deep burns. The areas affected were their face, neck, upper limbs and chest. We immediately started pain management, burn management, that includes cleaning, and wound management with a special kind of dressing which is only available in Rashid Hospital in the country and is used specifically for burn cases.
“The dressing is very expensive because it contains silver which kills the germs. It contains a silicon sheet to control the pain and it also has a special form that absorbs the discharge from the wounds to enhance the healing process. The dressing also needs to be changed after four days and not daily which is a relief for the patient.”
He added: “The cases were complicated but with the help of a multidisciplinary team, we ensured the patients received immediate medical attention. Post-treatment, a team of physiotherapists and dietitians assisted the patients.”
One patient was discharged last week and the second patient was discharged on November 14. Both patients will continue their rehabilitation as outpatients at the hospital.
Rashid Hospital is one of the few hospitals in the country that has a dedicated burns unit that follows international best practices.
