Scarred for life

Little Eath Monirath tries to be brave. It's time to change her bandages, and the 6-year-old knows that this will be very painful. Her father accompanies her to the specially equipped room where everything is ready: sterile compresses, gauze bandages, wound dressings, and painkillers.

The staff get to work, removing the old bandages, disinfecting the wounds, and re-dressing her upper body. Thick tears roll down Monirath's cheeks, and her dad speaks softly to her, trying to comfort her. In the first few days after a burn, daily bandage changes are necessary to monitor the healing process and initiate further treatment if necessary.

The accident happened six days ago: the girl was playing next to the stove, where her grandmother was taking a pot of hot water off the fire. She hadn't noticed her granddaughter eating on the floor behind her and tripped over Monirath. The girl's upper body was scalded with hot water. Her parents immediately brought her to our hospital in Siem Reap.

Her wounds are being well cared for and monitored here. Depending on the healing process, Monirath will have to stay in the hospital for around two months. The scars will remain with her for the rest of her life.