KATHMANDU: Seven individuals who were injured in a gas explosion at the Shandar MoMo shop in Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu, last month have been discharged from the hospital.
The explosion, which injured eleven people, resulted in four serious casualties who passed away during treatment at Kirtipur Hospital.
In another incident, three individuals suffered burns when a newly purchased gas cylinder from a shop in Lalitpur Metropolitan City-24 leaked while being connected to a gas stove.
These three victims are currently in critical condition and being treated at Kirtipur Hospital.
Senior plastic surgeon Prof. Dr. Shankarman Rai, who oversees burn patients at Kirtipur Hospital— which treats over 700 burn cases annually—said the hospital frequently sees injuries from gas explosions. He also mentioned that 25 people were injured in a gas explosion in Urlabari, Morang, last year.
Dr. Rai reported that burn incidents have increased early this year. In 2024, the hospital treated 710 burn patients, but in just the past two weeks, nearly 40 burn victims have been admitted.
He noted that the number of burn patients this year is higher than last year. “People may now be more aware of the services available at the hospital, though burn treatments are available in other hospitals as well,” Dr. Rai explained.
However, he emphasized that complex cases are only treated at Kirtipur Hospital, making it challenging to save every severely injured patient.
Dr. Rai praised the hospital’s burn treatment services, highlighting advancements in medical technology. “In the past, we could not save a patient with burns covering more than 40 percent of their body, but now we can save 50 out of 100 such patients,” he said.
However, he pointed out that 16 percent of burn patients remain in extremely critical condition every year and are unfortunately not survivable.
Although Kirtipur Hospital is a general hospital, it has prioritized burn treatment for the past 12 years, forming a dedicated burn care team.
Dr. Rai also mentioned that the hospital sends its staff to countries such as India, Italy, Germany, and the US for specialized training and invites experts from about 15–16 countries to Nepal for knowledge sharing.
The hospital receives burn patients from 77 districts across Nepal, and burn cases are the third most common type of patient treated at the 100-bed facility.
Improved Burn Treatment with Government Support
Dr. Rai acknowledged the role of the government in facilitating burn treatment. “The government’s efforts in addressing burn patient needs have significantly improved access to care,” he said.
In the past, many patients from economically disadvantaged backgrounds struggled to afford treatment, but now the government has taken steps to ensure better access to burn care services.
Dr. Rai explained that many burn patients now receive treatment either for free or at a very low cost, thanks to these government initiatives.
What to Do in Case of a Fire?
Dr. Rai highlighted the recent example of three army personnel who were injured while trying to extinguish a forest fire, with two of them unfortunately not surviving. He urged the public to stay alert as we are currently in fire season.
He advises people to avoid throwing flammable objects, such as cigarette butts, carelessly and to attempt to extinguish only small fires that can be managed individually. For larger forest fires, Dr. Rai recommends not attempting to put them out yourself.
Dr. Rai emphasized that individuals should be cautious when attempting to fight fires, as they may be caught by the flames. He further noted that security personnel should avoid rushing into the fire wearing ordinary clothes.
Instead, they should extinguish the fire from a safe distance with the help of fire engines or wear fire-resistant clothing to protect themselves while handling the situation carefully.
What Should You Do Immediately if Your Body Catches Fire?
If your body catches fire, the first step is to extinguish the flames. The person who is burnt should roll on the ground to help put out the fire, as the contact with the ground will help extinguish the flames quickly.
Once the fire is out, pour regular water on the burn for at least 30 minutes—whether from a bucket or a hose. Dr. Rai advises against applying ice or very cold objects, as this could cause further harm to the skin.
After cooling the burn with water, it is important to cover the wound with a clean cloth and then go to the hospital. Dr. Rai cautioned that rushing to the hospital immediately after a burn could deepen the wound due to the heat from the fire. The priority is to cool the burn with water before seeking medical attention.
He also mentioned that many people are unaware of the proper procedures for treating burns, which is why training is being provided in various hospitals.
However, due to limited reach, some patients still arrive at the hospital in a state of panic, sometimes with ointments, which are not advisable.
Dr. Rai emphasized that water is the most effective first aid for burns, and immediate use of water can help mitigate the damage.
Regarding the recent Mam gas explosion, Dr. Rai confirmed that all injured individuals have been discharged from the hospital. While some required minor surgeries, none of them had to undergo amputations.
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