Burns are a massive global problem that affect over 11 million people each year – the equivalent of 30,000 people burned every day. 95% of burn injuries occur in poor countries and over 70% affect children, causing enormous suffering, death and lifelong disability.
Tragically, a huge number of burn injuries lead to death and disability from infection, burn contractures and other complications that can be avoided through safe, cheap and effective treatments such as early skin grafting. In thousands of health facilities across the world, burn patients endure extreme suffering and distress. The long-term consequences of inadequate or inappropriate treatment are disastrous, leading to a lifetime of disability, disfigurement and exclusion.
Burns affect the poorest and most vulnerable members of society in low income countries. The high cost of treating burn injuries and the lifelong disability and disfigurement that often result from a burn can force a patient and their family deeper into poverty. The majority of burns occur in isolated and rural areas, where patients are often treated by staff that lack any training in burn care. This treatment is frequently delayed, inappropriate and inadequate. Patient follow up is problematic and rehabilitation services are often negligible or non-existent.
Despite these challenges, much of the suffering, death and disability that burn injuries cause can be prevented. Interburns works with local partners in Asia and Africa to achieve long-term and sustainable improvements in the standard of burn care and prevention.
