Third Mexican child admitted to Sacramento burn unit

A third child injured in a fire that destroyed a day-care center in northern Mexico has been admitted for treatment at the Northern California Shriners Hospitals for Children in Sacramento, officials said.

The 2-year-old boy arrived at the hospital at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, said Catherine Curran, a spokeswoman for the hospital. The boy was burned over 20% of his body and was listed in serious condition, she said.

A 3-year-old girl who suffered burns to 80% of her body was the first child to be admitted to the hospital's pediatric burn unit Saturday afternoon, and a 3-year-old boy with burns to 50% of his body arrived at about 11 p.m. Saturday, Curran said. Both children were in critical condition.

The fire broke out Friday at the ABC day-care center in Hermosillo, Mexico. About 140 children were inside. At least 41 of them were killed.

-- Ruben Vives

Comments

[southoc]

Why are they going to Sacramento?

[Cost]

I feel horrible for these children. My question is, don't they have adequate burn units in Mexico? Why are they here and who is paying for their treatment. Humanity aside, these are the types of things that need to be reconsidered in the face of our own citizens being unable to afford health care.

[Nancy]

Excuse me, but are there no hospitals in Mexico? As sad as it may be, who is going to pay the hospital bills for the treatment and care of these children? California is in a severe budget crisis. Nor should the cost be passed on to the legal citizens of the state of California.

[jack]

so we are willingly bringing illegal immigrants into this country now? great.

[Javier]

Slow your roll, i'm sick of all this hatred towards Mexicans. These children need serious medical attention. Shriners Hospitals are a non-profit organization so its obviously not going to cost tax payers a single penny. Maybe you should educate yourself before you start instigating.

[Arturo Ramos]

The Sacramento Shriner's hospital specializes in pediatric burns... most likely it is the best equipped hospital within reasonable distance to treat these children. The Shriner's hospitals are non-profit hospitals owned and operated by the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. While there are such hospitals in Mexico, none specialize in burns. True philanthropists like the Shriners would not put nationality ahead of humanity.

[David]

To Cost,

Feel HORRIBLE for these children??

Why are they here? who is paying for their treatment?

What a hypocryte!!

Why not have composasion? These children did not ask for this. For their pain and suffering.

Instead why not complain on Americans like the Octo Mom who already having a large littler decided to have even MORE children.

Who is picking up their tab until they ALL are eighteen???

Shame on you!!!

[We are broke!]

I feel for the burned children but, I thought the State of California was going broke! We are now the healthcare provider for Mexico? It has got to STOP!!!! STOP TAXING ME BRO! Politicians need to stop spending our tax dollars.

[Anon]

You people really are something! If you were in need ... would you want people shuffling over the minor details. No ... you wouldn't. So stop with the hypocrisy.

[Stacey]

The title of this article was guaranteed to make the xenophobic crowd cry foul. Just look at the first comment. "Humanity aside"???? Seriously, they are children that have been burned that were transferred to a unit that specializes in pediatric burns. According to Shriners, "Care is available at Shriners hospitals at no cost to any child under 18 years of age if, in the opinion of surgeons, they can be helped." ":This mission is carried out without cost to the patient or family, and without regard to race, color, creed, sex or sect."

The Shriners Hospital understands the concept of compassion and charity. Too bad some of your readers don't.

[Doug]

I agree with the previous comment, every dollar that is spent for an non-citizen could be going to reduce the health care cost of a citizen. We should'nt be worried about children's health care here in America if we can afford expensive care like this for foreigners.

[Hugo]

These kids are treated in Shriners Hospitals for Children, a non-profit hospitals network across North America that provided free care for children without restrictions of religion or race, or relationship to a Shriner (Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine). Thus, contrary to the person who wrote in this site, the treatment is NOT pay by public California hospitals and is NOT pay by American taxpayers. The Shriners network is supported by charitable donations.
The majority of the injured children are treated in public hospitals in Mexico (Guadalajara and Sonora). Following an assessment by Shriners hospital authorities, three children are treated in California (because this Shriners hospital is closer and specialized).
It’s unbelievable that even a terrible accident like this one could be used by the bigotry and xenophobic paranoia of Lou Dobbs followers.

[Mar]

For all you people who are asking why these inoccent children are here-?? Instead of being happy that this hospital might save their lives and wondering if these children will be ok- regardless of where they come from. My heart goes out to you because obviously you don't have a heart. If maybe these kids were caucasion- would you then care? You should be ashamed of yourselves.

This is a devasting event especially for their families. Take a moment and think about it instead of wondering who's paying for it.

[Mar]

For all you people who are asking why these inoccent children are here-?? Instead of being happy that this hospital might save their lives and wondering if these children will be ok- regardless of where they come from. My heart goes out to you because obviously you don't have a heart. If maybe these kids were caucasion- would you then care? You should be ashamed of yourselves.

This is a devasting event especially for their families. Take a moment and think about it instead of wondering who's paying for it.

[m]

American citizens desperately need medical attention, people who have paid (involuntarily) into the system through taxes and yet get nothing back. Instead we welcome foreigners to come here and receive service. Horrible.

[Mayra]

THEY ARE CHILDREN WHO ARE BURNED TO DEATH!!!!!!
I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY THINKING ABOUT MONEY AND WHO'S GOING TO PAY!!!!