United News of Bangladesh

For burn victims survival often hinges on a race against time but for those living far from the capital in Bangladesh race is increasingly unwinnable. Bangladesh saw 140 deaths in 26,659 fire incidents reported across the country in 2024, according to Fire Service and Civil Defence. Access to specialised burn treatment outside Dhaka remains extremely limited, forcing critically injured patients to rely on the overburdened National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in the capital, while the actual need is even higher. A government project to set up 100-bed burn and plastic surgery units at five major medical college hospitals — in Sylhet, Barishal, Rangpur, Rajshahi and Faridpur — was supposed to bring some changes. But the long-awaited project is facing major delays and a significant cost hike. Initially approved in January 2022, the project was scheduled for completion by June, 2025 at a cost of Tk 456.08 crore. But delays, redesigns, and a staggering 78.96% cost hike — raising the revised budget to Tk 816.19 crore — have pushed the completion deadline to June 2028. Of the revised allocation, Tk 464.74 crore will come from the government exchequer (GOB) while Tk 351.45 crore will be provided as a loan from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). The government initiated the project in 2017 and it was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in December 2021. Administrative approval followed in April 2022. The original plan envisioned completion by June 2025. According to a project document obtained by UNB, the delay stems from a series of unforeseen challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, site selection complications, and revisions in the project design. Initially, the plan involved vertical expansion and floor renovations in existing structures, but structural flaws — including cracks in parts of the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital premises — forced a shift to constructing entirely new buildings. Read: Grief and gloom grip burn institute as families await news after BAF crash However, the scope was later changed to construct entirely new dedicated buildings at all five medical college hospitals. Under the revised plan, 11-storey foundation structures with six floors initially at Sylhet, Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Barishal medical colleges. In Faridpur, a nine-storey building on an 11-storey foundation will be built due to land constraints. The new facilities will each cover over 8,400 square meters and house state-of-the-art burn and plastic surgery units. Officials said construction costs surged primarily because of the updated Public Works Department (PWD) rate schedule in 2022 which significantly raised civil works estimates. “The cost escalation became unavoidable. Besides, the SFD requested a fresh cost reassessment as the original agreement was signed nearly five years ago,” a senior Planning Commission official said. The revision also incorporates five new expenditure codes for special facilities, telecommunication equipment, stamps, and other operational needs, further contributing to the cost hike, he said. Experts and healthcare professionals say the delay is causing suffering to burn victims outside Dhaka. Read more: 3 of a family burnt in explosion from ‘gas leak’ in Dhaka As there is no specialised burn unit in these districts, critical patients need to be rushed to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in the capital which is already overwhelmed with cases. “Every day we receive critical burn patients from across the country and unfortunately many of them die because they do not get timely treatment closer to home,” said a senior doctor at the Burn Institute seeking anonymity. “The establishment of regional burn units is crucial to saving lives,” he added. Doctors on the frontlines say the delay is costing lives. “The first four to five hours after a burn injury — the golden hours — are crucial. But we often fail to treat patients in time due to the lack of local facilities. Many patients die on the way to Dhaka,” said a doctor of the burn unit at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Once completed, the project will benefit nearly 6 crore people in the five districts and surrounding areas, providing affordable, quality treatment for burn and reconstructive surgery cases. It is also expected to reduce the pressure on Dhaka hospitals. The Planning Commission, in its review, has recommended forwarding the revised proposal to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval to fast-track implementation. Read more: 8 burnt in Dinajpur gas cylinder fire Officials stressed that timely completion is essential to strengthening the country’s burn and plastic surgery treatment network, improving emergency response capacity and saving lives. In Bangladesh, burns are mainly caused by fire, electricity, and chemicals, with thermal and electrical burns being the most common. Recent incidents, like the Uttara plane crash and fires in markets and homes, have added to the growing number of burn victims in urgent need of care.

The death toll from the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) jet crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara has risen to 27 as eight more victims succumbed to their injured at the Burn Institute on Monday might.  “78 people are admitted to four hospitals. The deceased included 25 children, one pilot and one teacher. The bodies of 20 people have been handed over to their relatives,” Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Dr Sayedur Rahman said at a briefing at 8am on Tuesday at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Dr Sayedur said that eight more victims died at the Burn Institute on Monday night. There are 28 people admitted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and 42 others at the Burn Institute. There were bodies of 15 people at the CMH, he said. The special assistant said that samples have been collected from six bodies for the DNA test to ensure their identities. Expressing concern over the conditions of those undergoing treatment at ICU and HDU units at the Burn Institute, he said, “The entire country is going through a tough time. There is an MOU with the Burn Institute and Singapore General Hospital. A request letter has been sent to the hospital for technical assistance. They have received the case summary. At this moment, the High Commissioner of Singapore is at Singapore General Hospital. After reviewing the cases here, the next steps will be taken based on advice.” Tuesday’s HSC exams postponed following plane crash tragedy Requesting people not to crowd at the hospitals, he said that most of the injured are children. Their need for blood is less and ICU is ready at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU). Strict security measures have been placed around the Burn Institute for the sake of the patients. No one is allowed to enter without an ID card and proof of illness.

Another victim of the gas cylinder blast in Dhaka’s Aftabnagar has died while undergoing treatment at a city hospital, raising the death toll to three. The deceased was identified as Tofazzel Hossain, 45. Dr Shawon Bin Rahman, resident surgeon at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, confirmed that Tofazzel succumbed to his injuries around 5:30am. He had sustained burns on 80 percent of his body. Two other victims are still receiving treatment at the institute. 5 of a family burnt in Aftabnagar cylinder blast The blast occurred early Friday, injuring all five members of the family, including three children. Of them, Munsura Begum, 35, and her daughter Tanzila, 4, died on Sunday and Monday respectively. The two surviving children, Mithila, 7, and Tanisha, 11, are currently undergoing treatment.

Four people including three members of a family sustained burn injuries in an explosion at a residential building in Fatullah of Narayanganj early Sunday (August 13, 2023). Two more people sustained injuries in the incident. Sabuj Khandaker; Rana Miah, his wife Bithi Aktar and their child are now undergoing treatment at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. Read: Burnt mother succumbs to injuries in DMCH; baby in emergency One of the other injured was identified as fruit seller Abu Kalam who is receiving treatment at National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR). The other injured was given first aid. Neighbours and relatives of the burn victims said a blast occurred on the fifth floor of a six-storey residential building owned by one Aslam Sikdar around 12 am. Later, locals rescued the tenants and sent them to Narayanganj General Hospital. They were subsequently shifted to the capital’s burn institute. Read: Woman burnt to death in Chattogram Fakhruddin, deputy director of Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defence department, said doors and windows of the two units of the fifth floor and other valuables were burnt in the blast. Walls of the flat fell on the roof of a semi-pucca house near the building, leaving two more people injured, he said. The reason behind the blast and extent of damages will be known upon investigation, the fire service officer added. Reade more: 2 women among 9 burnt in gas line explosion in Dhaka