Gonoshasthaya Hospital opens 6-bed burn unit

With the public hospitals struggling to cater to a rising number of burn patients in the ongoing spate of political violence, a six-bed burn unit opens at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital yesterday, which the authorities said, would provide free treatment and medicines to the burn victims. Photo: Star

Coming to the aid of the increasing number arson attack victims, Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital yesterday opened a six-bed burn unit on its Dhanmondi premises in the capital, declaring to provide treatment and medicine free of cost.

Initially four doctors will provide round-the-clock, basic lifesaving treatment. Upgraded facilities including intensive care and high dependency units and more beds will be gradually introduced, the hospital authority told a press briefing on the premises.

“What we will do is ensure necessary and emergency treatment, essential for a burnt patient at the initial stage,” said Prof Mohammed Shawkat Ali, head of the forensic medicine department.

He said the hospital was thinking of opening burn units at its branches in Savar of Dhaka and Tongi and Sreepur of Gazipur.

Despite being a private hospital run by trustees, the Gonoshasthaya hospital welcomes donations from philanthropists and different tiers of society, said Prof AKM Rezaul Islam of the surgery department.

The launching comes at a time when people irrespective of age and identity are being targeted nearly every day centring the ongoing blockade of the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

Over 500 patients, including 50 arson victims, are now admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital's 300-bed burn unit, a situation doctors there say they deal with often.

Apart from the medical equipment, this correspondent found mosquito nets on the beds of the Gonoshasthaya hospital's burn unit on the third floor.

“A burn patient without dressing and lying inside mosquito net is less vulnerable to infections,” explained Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, the hospital's founder and trustee.

He suggested avoiding dressings for those could lead to infections. Burns should be first treated with sufficient water and then the patient should be rushed to a nearby hospital, said Dr Zafrullah, advocating for raising awareness which he says is pivotal in saving lives.