No need for blood, skin supplies adequate for burn victims : Dr Nasir

Professor Dr Mohammad Nasir Uddin, acting director of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, has confirmed that there is no immediate need for blood or skin donations for the victims of the Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crash at Uttara’s Milestone School and College.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday night (July 24), Dr. Nasir reassured the public that the hospital has adequate medical resources to treat the injured.

“Some individuals have expressed interest in donating skin, but we have sufficient skin stored in our facility,” he said. “If needed, we will use it from the hospital’s reserve.”

The acting director also urged the public not to send financial assistance for the victims. “Many people are offering to send money, but there is no need for that,” Dr. Nasir stated. “The government is covering all treatment costs for the injured children.”

Tragically, two more critically injured students succumbed to their injuries on Thursday—one at 1:55pm and the other at 4:30pm—raising the death toll from the incident to 34, most of whom were schoolchildren.

Currently, six patients remain in critical condition, while 13 others continue to receive intensive care. Of the 23 patients initially classified as being in the intermediate stage, 13 have been transferred to cabin care, according to Dr. Nasir.

The treatment of the injured is being carried out under the guidance of a multidisciplinary medical board. Dr. Nasir said that medical experts from China and Singapore are expected to join the efforts soon.

“We are receiving offers of assistance from several countries. Our only priority is the wellbeing of the children—we do not consider borders when it comes to saving lives,” he said.

The disaster took place last Monday at 1:06pm when a Bangladesh Air Force training fighter jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Tejgaon Air Base, slamming into a building of Milestone School and College in Uttara. The crash led to mass casualties, with dozens of children injured and at least 33 confirmed dead as of Thursday evening.