Fall injuries among kids a matter of concern

Kathmandu, April 29

Despite parents’ care and protection, many children suffer fall injuries in the country.

Most falls lead to minor injuries or bruises, but sometimes falls even lead to disability or death. According to Annapurna Neurological Hospital, 157 children below 15 years of age were admitted to the hospital after suffering fall injuries in the fiscal 2016/17.

According to World Health Organisation, 950,000 people below the age of 18 years die due to fall injuries and 95 per cent of such cases happen in low middle income countries.

The data recorded at the hospital shows that 44 per cent of children visiting the hospital are patients of fall injuries. Of the total children who were brought to the hospital for treatment of fall injuries, 10 children were below one year, 39 children were between one to four years of age, 28 children between five to nine years of age and 19 children between 10 to 15 years of age. Among them, 44 were boys and 54 were girls.

“We have been focusing on issues like child labour but no attention has been paid so far to prevent fall injuries,” said Tarak Dhital, executive director at Central Child Welfare Board.