A 14-year-old boy is in a critical condition at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital after he was rushed from the Wainibokasi Health Centre last Friday.
He had severe inhalation injuries and burns to his face and upper torso while using a bamboo gun (dakai bitu).
And as a result of this and two other incidents involving the illegal apparatus, the Health Ministry wants Fijians to immediately stop using them at all.
“The patient was using the bamboo gun with his friends in his village in Rewa when the incident occurred,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Prior to this, two young males were also admitted to CWMH during the Christmas and New Year period after sustaining severe burns to their faces and bodies.
“The incidents occurred in Noco in Rewa, and Namara in Tailevu, where the young boys were using the bamboo guns to celebrate the festive season.
“Preventable injuries from bamboo guns include severe burns to the face and body that can disfigure a child for life, and inhalation injuries which can be fatal.”
The ministry discouraged the use of bamboo guns for any purpose and said it would work with stakeholders to minimise avoidable and life-threatening and life-changing injuries from the use of such guns.
