To treat burn patients, time is of the essence
We have successfully set up a skin bank at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery last year. But we are yet to start the procedure, as we need proper campaigning for it. We have plans to inspire people to donate skin, which will be used for burn patients. A person's skin can be taken within six hours after death.
At least 100 people were burnt, and of them, 67 were being treated after the BM container depot fire in Chattogram. Due to the limited capacity in Chattogram, patients with serious injuries needed to be shifted to Dhaka through emergency helicopters.
But why is a divisional city still lacking proper treatment facilities, and what actual steps have been taken for improvement?
In search of the answers, The Daily Star (DS) yesterday talked to Dr Samanta Lal Sen, chief national coordinator for plastic surgery and burn projects in Bangladesh.
DS: What are the limitations in providing treatment to burn patients?
Dr Sen: We are still lagging behind due to lack of supporting infrastructures like dedicated operation theatres (OT), intensive care units (ICU), high-dependency units (HDU) and relevant equipment.
The same crisis was seen in Chattogram. Although it has a burn unit, there are no ICU or OT dedicated for burn patients. On the bright side, the Chinese government is building a burn unit in Chattogram, and four places have already been selected for it primarily.
DS: A dedicated institute was built for burn patients, but many people are still dying. Why?
Dr Sen: Yes, people are still dying, and the death rate, at least six percent, is high. The major reason behind this is cross infection.
Due to space shortage in burn units of divisional cities, patients are kept in close proximity, which spreads infections. Another reason is the issue of shifting patients.
The first 24 hours is the most crucial for a burn patient's treatment. But patients in Satkhira or Barguna will not get that treatment, as these places do not have dedicated burn facilities.
These patients are taken to Dhaka, which takes a lot of time. In these cases, we often have nothing to do.
DS: What steps have been taken to improve burn treatment? What is the status of setting up burn institutes in divisional cities?
Dr Sen: We have successfully set up a skin bank at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery last year. But we are yet to start the procedure, as we need proper campaigning for it.
We have plans to inspire people to donate skin, which will be used for burn patients. A person's skin can be taken within six hours after death.
And to set up burn hospitals in divisions -- Sylhet, Barishal, Rangpur, Rajshahi and Faridpur -- a bill has already been passed in the Ecnec meeting around seven months ago.
DS: If an incident like the depot fire happens again, what steps should be taken?
Dr Sen: At first, the casualty hospitals need to turn into specialised burn hospitals immediately. Next, all expert doctors, including those specialising in burns and causality, should form teams to provide treatment without any delay.
Finally, ICUs and separate spaces need to be dedicated for burn patients.
But for this, we need to raise awareness among every stakeholder and keep in mind that prevention is better than cure.
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