Burn Unit itself is 'Burning'

Harsh sunlight streams through uncurtained window panes, hitting the tiled floor. On the dust-laden floor, the sunlight appears grey. Rows of beds line one side of the room. A layer of sand covers the bedsheets. Various equipment are attached nearby, standing crooked like skeletons. Due to lack of use, these expensive machines are on the verge of non-functional. In this state, the modern burn unit of the 250-bed Mohammad Ali Hospital is suffering. It seems as if it is being burned daily by the 'fire of neglect'.

This reporter visited the hospital. They found that nurses were using the front two rooms for their own official work. The main two rooms of the unit are locked. The valuable beds inside are covered with a layer of dust. Cobwebs fill every corner, with trash and dirt scattered everywhere. Mosquitoes and flies are buzzing. On the west side of the unit, an old dustbin and cardboard boxes were seen. Dried cat feces were on top of these.

However, it was not supposed to be like this. Nearly seven years ago, a 10-bed modern burn unit was established in this hospital. But it exists only in name. There is no staff. This unit, built at a cost of 3.75 crore taka, is lying as an abandoned room.

The beginning of this hospital is known from the words of those involved: 2014. A time of tumultuous politics. The then-government decided to start burn units in district hospitals. Afterwards, at a public meeting in Bogura on November 12, 2015, the then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced the formation of a specialized burn unit at Mohammad Ali Hospital to serve patients with burn injuries, acid burns, and skin problems. In accordance with the announcement, this 10-bed modern burn unit was built in October 2019. A total of 63 posts, including senior and junior consultants, were created. But although year after year has passed, no staff has been recruited.

Therefore, Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College (SZMC) Hospital remains the final refuge for the burnt patient of Bogura. When visited, it was seen that the treatment of burn patients is continuing in a part of the surgery department. It is limited to primary care. If the burns are severe, there is no capacity to provide treatment. Evidence of this was found last April. Md. Mukul (40), son of Md. Shoeb Uddin of Shibganj Upazila, came with severe burn wounds. He died without treatment.

Doctors believe that creating such a specialized burn unit in a district hospital is an unplanned initiative. Rashedul Islam Rony, a resident physician at Mohammad Ali Hospital, opines, "Treating burn patients is a complex process. The opinion of other specialists is needed to treat such patients. But where is that opportunity in a district sadar hospital? For this reason, these specialized units have to be kept in medical college hospitals. There are multiple departments there. If necessary, a medical team can be formed to serve the patient."

Majidul Islam, the hospital's superintendent, gives a similar opinion. According to him, "No initiative was taken to start the burn unit after COVID-19. After joining here, I have sent a letter to the Secretary of the Health Department regarding whether this can be started as a burn unit, ICU, or CCU. Whatever is done with it, specialist doctors and trained staff are definitely needed here."

Meanwhile, Professor Shaharul Alam Mondal, head of the surgery department at SZMC Hospital, candidly admits their incapacity, "Many burn patients come here. We cannot provide much service beyond primary care. If there is 50 or 60 percent burn, it becomes difficult to save that patient. Therefore, we provide primary treatment and refer them to Dhaka. However, if we had doctors and modern facilities here, we could have provided advanced services."