By Gami Tadanyigbe
The University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, FCT, has called on Nigerians to be safety cautious to help prevent burns and other domestic accidents for healthy living.

The Manager, burns and plastic unit of the hospital, Mr Linus Ameh, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gwagwalada on Wednesday.

Ameh said majority of burn cases handled in the unit range from gas explosion, fuelling generator set while on or hot, hot water, fire outbreak, motor accidents among other domestic accidents.

According to him, prevention is better than curative measures, hence the need for Nigerians to take safety measures seriously and adhere to safety ethics towards a safer country.

“We normally have 60 to 70 burn cases and only critical cases are brought to this unit and the ones that are already infected are posted to different wards.

“Most times we go out to sensitise people on preventive measures, because most cases of burns are from fuelling generator while on or near the kitchen or children burnt from hot water.

“Bush burning at this period can also destroy lives and property and poses danger to healthy living in our various communities.

“With this entire incidence, it is high time Nigerians learn from it and there is need to put in place basic safety equipment and features for protection,” he said.

However, the manager explained that if proactive measures are properly adopted, it could save lives and properties in the country.

He appealed for more funding to the unit to help address some challenges in terms of treatment, especially for the indigents who cannot afford money for treatment.

He also called on the Federal Government to put in place adequate policies that would help address safety challenges and help prevent domestic accidents among Nigerians. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz