Rangpur Medical College Hospital
Burn unit flooded with patients
Abdus Sahed, Rangpur
The burn and plastic surgery department of the Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH) has been working relentlessly to tackle a ceaseless stream of burn patients this winter. As many as 50 burn victims are currently admitted here as againt its total capacity to accomodate 14 patients.
There is a spurt in the number of burn patients this season. Five of them have died within a week after being admitted to the hospital with serious burn injuries.
Rural people make fire to avoid cold in winter. This often leads to serious burn incidents due to carelessness.
Beauty Begum, a patient, told The Independent that she received burn injuries when she was trying to get warm by lighting up a fire. As many as 70 per cent of her body was burnt. She was referred to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, but refused to move as she cannot manage money.
Sahina Begum, another burn victim, came from Panchagar district. As many as 41 per cent of her body was burnt. She was pregnent during the mishap and the foetus died of the burn injuries.
Senior staff nurse Amina Khatun said the number of burn patients was increasing with a cold wave blowing across northern Bangladesh.
Dr Maruful Islam, head of the burn and plastic surgery unit, said a large number of burn victims could not be accomodated due to the lack of space. He said an increase in the number of beds, a proper dressing room, an operation theatre and trained manpower should be immediately provided for proper functioning of the department.
Rahat Anwar, deputy commissioner of Rangpur, visited the RMCH burn and plastic surgery unit, and gave it some financial aid.
