A year-old boy who suffered burns over 70 percent of his body in June began a free course of plastic surgery and rehabilitation at a local hospital yesterday after a local television station broadcast his plight.

The No. 455 Hospital of the People's Liberation Army started a first round of skin procedures on young Zhou Li's left leg, which has stiffened due to extensive scarring. Doctors said the entire treatment will last several years and cost more than 100,000 yuan (US$14,622), which will be borne by the hospital.

"We were deeply touched by his suffering and decided to offer free treatment," said Dr Xu Beihua, director of the hospital's plastic surgery center, whose doctors will carry out procedures on the boy's face in a year and skin transplants on his face and body in subsequent years.

Zhou Yi was burned on his face, arms, stomach and legs on June 14, when his grandmother was walking him near his home in Qingpu District. Zhou was injured when a neighbor ignited an alcohol stove and flames hit the child and his grandmother. The woman suffered burns over 25 percent of her body, and her right arm has been disabled.

"While we arrived at the hospital, the little boy was injured all over and in critical condition," said Zhou Renpei, the father, an Anhui Province native who works in a local chemical plant.

"Doctors said a child with 70-percent burn coverage is like an adult with 90 percent of his skin burned. He survived after emergency treatment and three major surgeries involving skin transplants."

He said the family had used up all its savings and money borrowed money from relatives and friends.

"We have no money for the poor boy, who cries every night from the pain and itching. I contacted Shanghai Education Television Station, which broadcast a story about Zhou Yi," the father said. "Their reporter also helped us get free treatment."

(Shanghai Daily November 6, 2008)