On 9.11.2013 my 14 month old baby suffered 20% second degree burns on his hand and chest by spilling hot coffee on himself. As I stay in Gurgaon I rushed to Max Hospital. They gave him first aid and asked me to rush him to New Delhi as in the entire Delhi NCR region the only 2 burn units are Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vihar and Safdarjung Hospital. 

I was shocked to hear this that in spite of having the best of hospitals in Gurgaon there was NO BURN UNIT HERE. When a call was made from Max hospital to enquire about a bed in Apollo they were REFUSED saying no bed was available. 

Thankfully my husband's office came to the rescue and the HR department got in touch with relevant people and only then could we get a bed in the ICU for my baby.We had to undertake a 2 hour drive in order to reach Apollo due to the traffic, with my baby under sedation. Due to the delay he caught an infection and was in the ICU for 15 days. He even had to undergo skin grafting at the tender age of 14 months.

I dread to think what would have happened to my baby had my husband's company not provided instant help.Not everyone is able to get good references, and this should certainly not be the reason for getting medical assistance. Medical assistance is the right of every citizen of India irrespective of where they work or their economic strata.

It is shocking to note that something as basic as a burn unit in not there in entire NCR region. Burns are so serious that they can take lives and loss of time in travelling can be critical. I plead to the government to please have burn units in every city so that no one is left helplessly seravhing for medical help.