A 2-year-old who almost burnt to death during an attack on her family in Vítkov five weeks ago is still struggling with injuries.
It seems like a miracle as burn injuries covering 80% of the body are in most cases fatal, especially when the victim is so young.
But Natálie has undergone a number of surgeries already, including being taken off life support for a short moment. She is under the permanent care of doctors from the anesthesiology and resuscitation unit of the Ostrava teaching hospital.
The family was thrilled to hear that the girl ate a piece of chocolate after being woken up from induced sleep last week.
Jarmila Tymolová, a head surgeon of the hospital’s burn department, is very careful when talking about the case.
She keeps saying the battle is not over. But she is satisfied with the treatment process so far. “Sure, it has been going well so far, the way it could and should go,” Tymonová said.
Doctors treat the girl’s skin with special Integra burn treatment. Integra was first used worldwide in 2000, and doctors in Ostrava began using the method in 2003.
On 18 April, an unknown person threw three petrol-filled bottles into Natálie’s house, causing a strong fire. Beside the girl, her parents suffered serious injuries. The police are still looking for the attacker.
