Teresina burn unit sees surge in domestic injuries as young victim seeks aid

Andressa Luana Machado, a 27‑year‑old mother from Teresina, was hospitalized with burns covering 20% of her body after her aunt allegedly threw hot oil on her and her sister on 26 July. She is receiving treatment at the Hospital de Urgência de Teresina (HUT) and has launched a social‑media campaign to raise funds for medical care and legal assistance, stating, “I will pursue justice, my life is worth a lot.”

The Hospital’s Unidade de Tratamento de Queimados (UTQ) is the only specialized burn centre in the state of Piauí, handling roughly one patient every two days. Between January and June 2026 the unit recorded 91 admissions, while 2025 saw 263 burn cases, most caused by hot liquids such as oil or water. The multidisciplinary team provides complex wound care, reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation for severe injuries.