Camp helps child burn victims recover from trauma

More than 20 child burn victims from all over the country gathered at Ruijin Hospital Affiliated with the Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine on Friday for a three-day summer camp.

Sports activities, classes for parents, flower arrangement workshop, and a trip to an ocean park are included in the camp, which had been held by the hospital for three consecutive years. Experts in physical education and mental health doctors profession will also give lectures to help these children recover both physically and psychologically.

Children with burns are a large, special population with experience of painful injuries and scars that may stay with them for a lifetime, leaving them with limited physical function and a sense of inferiority, doctors said.

Chen Erzhen, vice-president of Ruijin Hospital, said the overall incidence of burns is declining over time, but it is still one of the most frequent accidental injuries that occurrs to children due to their limited understanding of the danger burns present.

"Therefore it is of great significance to educate parents and families how to prevent burns in their daily life, and help them master the skills needed to cope with the wounds in case the worst happens. Hospitals should also make efforts to improve the quality of medical treatment to reduce patients' psychological burdens and help them feel included in social life," he said.

Zhang Xiong, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, said the burn treatment and plastic surgery department of Ruijin Hospital has been dedicated to creating a full-course treatment mode for children suffering from burns covering prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, and actively providing assistance for such children and their families in various ways to help them overcome all difficulties.

"We hope society will give these children care and assistance to help them live a happy childhood and look forward to a bright future," he said.

Zhi Yuan contributed to this story.