Two Children With Severe Burns Flown From Ukraine To Shriners Children's Hospital In Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- Two Ukrainian children with severe burns are now at one of Boston's top hospitals. An air ambulance flew the two children from Ukraine to Shriners Children's Hospital on Thursday.
Each one has a parent with them.
"The easiest part is actually the burn care for us and surgery - the hard part is the logistics," said Dr. Robert Sheridan. "The logistics of getting a sick kid halfway around the world is complicated. It's expensive. And especially now, even in peacetime, it's difficult to get a sick child all that distance safely, especially now where air ambulances can't get into Ukraine."
Shriners has been caring for Ukrainian burn victims through a partnership over the last 15 years. Typically, these transports take six days, this time it took 20.
Now here, the children, one 17-month-old boy and one 2-and-a-half-year-old girl, still face a "grueling hospitalization," Sheridan said. Doctors often estimate one hospital day per one percent of body burned.
"Mom boiled water on put it on the floor and during the bombing, the child started running and basically spilled the water on herself," said Dr. Gannady Fuzaylov, of Shriners Hospital.
In the girl's case, she burned 70% of her body. Doctors said 45% of the boy's body is burned but his injuries are considered more severe due to his age.
Doctors say moving sick kids long distances by plane is very challenging and complicated. The two Ukrainian children who arrived here this week will remain here for the next three months as they undergo intensive care and rehab.
Shriners doctors assured that there is competent care for those injuries in Ukraine, but the switch was to help the hospitals from coming overwhelmed while they tend to war victims.
