A toddler, aged two, suffered a fall resulting in a forehead injury from the sharp edges of cracked pavement tiles in Sengkang, according to Shin Min Daily News.
The incident occurred near Block 417A Fernvale Link while the child was en route to a nearby playground. The child’s mother, identified as Ms. Guo, a 37-year-old insurance agent, shared with Shin Min Daily News that the fall caused a significant wound on the boy’s forehead, requiring 24 stitches to close.
The accident took place in the late afternoon of May 31, 2023, according to Ms. Guo. She mentioned that her domestic worker had accompanied her son to the playground but returned shortly after the incident occurred.
Ms. Guo was shocked to discover a 2cm-long deep cut on her son’s forehead, revealing the underlying skull due to the severity of the injury. The domestic worker explained that the child stumbled and hit his forehead against the cracked tiles on the pavement.
Promptly, Ms. Guo rushed her son to the hospital, where she received distressing news from the doctor. Due to the child’s phlegm in his throat, administering a significant amount of anesthesia was not possible. As a result, the medical team only applied two drops of anesthesia around the wound before stitching it.
Throughout the 40-minute operation, the child, who remained awake, endured immense pain, causing him to cry incessantly. This was a heart-wrenching experience for Ms. Guo, who felt the pain of each cry as if a needle pierced her heart.
Following the surgery, the child’s temperament changed, losing his liveliness and becoming more temperamental. The medical expenses incurred for the 24 stitches amounted to S$8,400. Additionally, Ms. Guo plans to seek scar removal treatment for her son.
In light of the incident, Ms. Guo is requesting that the authorities assume responsibility for the medical fees and expedite the repairs on the pavement.
In response to queries from Shin Min Daily News, Gan Thiam Poh, Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC, stated that the town council had already cordoned off the affected area for repairs. Furthermore, the town council is actively exploring more suitable materials for the pavement and has made contact with the boy’s mother to address the situation promptly.