Sulphuric acid burned women in Bangladesh: a social and medical problem

Abstract

In August–September 1998 an Italian medical team, composed of a plastic surgeon, an anaesthesiologist, an infectious diseases specialist and a psychologist, assisted by a local non-government organization (Narripokkho), studied a cohort of Bangladeshi women injured by sulphuric acid. The goals of the mission were: (1) recognition of the magnitude of the phenomenon of acid being intentionally thrown at women; (2) evaluation of the type and severity of burns; (3) preparation of a tentative schedule of surgical treatment of the lesions; (4) organization of local facilities; (5) training of doctors and nurses.

Introduction

In summer 98 an Italian women’s magazine published a report on women disfigured by sulphuric acid in Bangladesh. The article stirred up compassion in the readers and quite a large number of them sent money and offered help to the editorial staff of the magazine. For organizational reasons, the management of the situation was entrusted to a well-known NGO (non-government organization, COOPI, Milano). In order to obtain financial and logistical support by the media, a campaign called “Un volto per la vita” (“A face for life”) was organized, together with a preliminary explorative mission. A psychologist, expert in problems related to third world countries, a female plastic surgeon, an anaesthesiologist and an infectious diseases specialist took part in the mission. The medical team was assisted by a professional photoreporter. The aims of the mission were: (1) a preliminary recognition of the magnitude of the problem; (2) evaluation of the type and severity of burns; (3) preparation of a tentative schedule of surgical treatment of the lesions; (4) organization of local facilities; (5) training of doctors and nurses.