Burn injuries claim four lives a day: govt report

• Around 1,500 die of burn injuries a year
• About 12.09 lakh sustain burns annually 
• Lack of facilities outside Dhaka causing preventable deaths
• Experts cite lack of treatment centres, trained personnel
• Focus should be on preventing fire incidents

Around 1,500 people die in the country every year due to burn injuries -- equivalent to four deaths a day -- according to a government report, highlighting a serious issue that rarely draws attention unless a major incident occurs.

In addition, around 12.09 lakh people sustain burn injuries annually, and nearly 3,000 of them become permanently disabled, putting pressure not only on the health system but also on overall productivity.

The report, titled "Prevalence and Risk Factors for Mortality and Morbidity in Relation to National Health Injury Survey of Bangladesh 2022-23," revealed figures many times higher than those recorded by the Fire Service and Civil Defence.

Commissioned by the Non-Communicable Disease Control unit of the Directorate General of Health Services, the study was conducted by the Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB), based on data collected from 4.43 lakh participants across the country.

The issue of fire casualties came to the fore again after 16 people were killed and four others injured when a devastating blaze broke out at a chemical warehouse and an adjacent garment factory in the capital's Mirpur on Tuesday.

At least 35 people also died and many sustained burn injuries in the air force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara's Diabari in July this year, further exposing the importance of emergency management of severe burns.

According to the report, a total of 1,491 people die from burn injuries every year, making it the ninth leading cause of injury-related deaths.

On the other hand, 12.09 lakh people sustain burn injuries annually, making it the fourth leading cause of injury-related morbidities.

The report said 2,983 people become permanently disabled after sustaining burn injuries. The highest number of fatalities was found among those aged over 60, while among children the highest rate was recorded in the 1–4-year age group.

However, according to Fire Service data, 140 people died and 378 sustained burn injuries last year.

Salim Mahmud Chowdhury, the principal investigator of the survey, said there is a scarcity of treatment facilities for burn injuries in the country, particularly outside Dhaka, resulting in many avoidable deaths.

He also pointed out a shortage of trained personnel for emergency management of severe burns.

"Burn treatment takes a long time and is relatively costly, making it difficult for many patients to continue treatment, often leading to life-changing disabilities," he said.

Prof Mohammad Nasiruddin, director of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said the number of fire incidents in the country is so high that even building 10 more burn institutes would not be sufficient to manage the growing number of patients.

He emphasised that priority must be given to preventing fire incidents, including those linked to electrical lines, gas leaks, and cylinder explosions.

"Authorities responsible for such incidents must take proactive measures to prevent them and avoid these preventable deaths and injuries," he said.