Services at the Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, began today.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque opened the outdoor unit of the institute in a ceremony as the chief guest in the Dhaka's Chankharpul area around 11:00am, said Dr Samanta Lal Sen, chief coordinator of the Burn Units across the country.

The outdoor unit will remain for patients from 11:00am to 2:30pm every day except public holidays.

Besides, the services of indoor unit might be opened within a month, said Samanta Lal Sen.

Photo shows that reception room of Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute. Photo: Shaheen Molla/Star

On October 24 last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the burn and plastic surgery institute.

The Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute will help treat burn patients and train plastic surgeons to meet the country's requirements.

The 12-storey institute, located next to the Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover will provide advanced treatment to burn patients, while physicians and nurses will also get trainings to enhance their professional skills.

With state-of-the-art equipment and technology, the institute has 500 beds, 50 intensive care units and 12 operation theatres, making it the largest burn and plastic surgery institute in the world.

On April 6, 2016, Hasina inaugurated the construction work of the institute, by laying its foundation stone.

The burn and plastic surgery institute was constructed at a cost of Tk 522 crore as part of the current government's plan to provide modern treatment facilities to patients of burn injuries, develop medical experts and conduct research.

There are three blocks in the institute -- hosting the burn unit, plastic surgery unit and academic wing.