State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit visits the injured students at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
A fire broke out at Jamia Ashrafia Madrasah, leaving over 60 students in critical condition after they inhaled smoke on Tuesday (10 November). Photo: TBS
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A fire broke out at Jamia Ashrafia Madrasah, leaving over 60 students in critical condition after they inhaled smoke on Tuesday (10 November). Photo: TBS
State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit today (10 November) visited students hospitalised with smoke inhalation injuries at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery after a fire at their madrasah in Narayanganj’s Fatullah area.
The fire broke out at Jamia Ashrafia Madrasa in the Signboard area around 2am today, according to the Fire Service. At least 79 students suffering from smoke inhalation were brought to the burn institute in Dhaka.
Speaking to reporters this afternoon, the state minister said four students were in the ICU, one of them on ventilator support; 16 had been discharged after initial treatment, while two medical boards had been formed to look after the rest.
“All treatment and medicines are being provided free of charge,” he added.
Muhit said many of the students were recovering and expressed hope that another 30 would be discharged by the evening. The remaining patients were also doing well and were expected to recover.
He emphasised the need to decentralise specialised burn treatment, saying divisional cities should have dedicated burn institutes.
Such facilities would help save lives and prevent long-term disabilities, he added.
Also read: 79 madrasah students hospitalised after fire in Narayanganj, four in critical condition
The minister also called for greater public awareness and compliance with building regulations to prevent fire accidents.
He said fire safety was a wider concern affecting not only madrasahs but also educational institutions and student hostels.
Buildings are often constructed for one purpose and later used for another, he said, citing hotels and restaurants operating in buildings not designed for commercial use, as well as residential buildings along roads being converted into commercial establishments.
He said a madrasah, too, might be housed in a private residence that was not originally built for educational purposes.
The minister stressed the need for policy changes and proper enforcement of building regulations to address such risks.
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