Victims of recent arson attacks taken to the Burn Unit at Dhaka Medical College Hospital are now able to access psycho-social care from international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Services are similarly being made available to their caretakers.

Since 31st January 2015, when MSF began working under an agreement made directly with Dhaka Medical College Hospital, the medical group has been providing consultations to 68 people suffering from psychological problems related to the traumatic experience they have suffered and the subsequent recovery process.

“The trauma of suffering a serious burn, coupled with the permanent disfiguring of the face and body, can lead to severe and long-term psychological problems that impact a person’s ability to live and work, and many of our patients are the primary earners in their family,” said MSF Bangladesh Country Director Parthesarathy Rajendran.  “Providing psycho-social care and support, primarily through bedside counseling and psychological first aid, will help them to overcome problems resulting from the harrowing event they have experienced.”

While MSF is focusing on the psycho social needs of burns victims, it has also donated approximately 850,000 takas worth of drugs and medical equipment to assist Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s treatment of their physical injuries.