Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of the 'Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery', aimed to provide better treatment to burn victims at Chankharpool in the capital.
The institute will be the largest of its kind not only in South Asia, but also in the world, reports the Daily Star.
Prime Minister Hasina laid the foundation stone by unveiling the plaque. She was later, apprised about the overall plan of the project.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) had approved Tk 522 crore project to be implemented with government funds in November last year.
The main aim of the institute will be to produce burn specialists and plastic surgeons of international repute. Other objectives include training nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists and staff who will specialise in dressings.
In the initial phase, the institute will be producing 10 to 12 doctors every year, who would attain the Master of Science in Plastic Surgery and be sent to different burn units, expected to be set up at every district under the institute.
Bangladesh currently churns out just two expert plastic surgeons a year.
The institute will have 500 beds, including 50 for the intensive care unit, 12 operating theatres (four each for the burn, emergency and plastic surgery units), and equipment such as burn tanks.
Initially, the approved money will be spent on building a 10-storey building in two years and subsequently will have five more floors.
The building will have three wings meant for burn and plastic surgery, administrative and academic and outdoor activities.
