"We lack a modern operating theatre at this unit, patients with severe burns are kept waiting for long and most finally leave without proper treatment," a nurse said.

The modern 50-bed unit, the first ever in a government hospital, was scheduled to be launched last December to overcome the dearth of treatment to inpatients.

But the inauguration did not see the light of day because of what officials called red tape, shortage of staff and medical equipment and is confined to treating only outpatients.

An average of 10 patients comes in for treatment a day. "Patients with second and third degree burns are forced to leave after first-aid treatment at the emergency department," a DMCH source said.

Kakon, a 7-year old girl with severe burns on her back, from Shajahanpur was brought by her mother who said: "We wanted to admit her to the hospital but there is no room."

"We have only eight beds. But we have many more patients who come in with burns from fire, chemicals and electric shock. How can we cater to all?" said a doctor in frustration.

"I do not receive treatment on time and my condition is worsening," said another patient Poly Begum, tears welling up in her eyes. The 35-year-old was burnt while cooking.

Considering the increasing pressure of patients, the health department decided to set up the separate state-of-the-art burn unit at a cost of Tk 6.4 crore.

"Although 58 doctors and other officials have already been appointed, we can not start as 15 supporting employees like cleaners and guards could not be appointed as yet," Dr Samanta Lal Sen, head of the unit, told Star City.

"The newly constructed 3-storey building is ready, we are just waiting for the inauguration and the additional staff," he added.

The unit is likely to provide training and research opportunities as well for interns turning the unit into an institute.

"The poor come from distant villages cannot be treated properly; some of them need to be operated on immediately. We cannot ask them to go back. We seem as handicapped as the patients are in this unit," said Dr Sayed Shamsuddin Ahmed who joined the unit as associate professor on his return from the US.

Professor Sen, an eminent plastic surgeon and unit head said there are only nine plastic surgeons in the country to treat almost 1.5 lakh people who get burnt every year.

He also commented that there are no expert nurses to dress wounds although nursing is very important for burn injury treatment.

Officials alleged the Central Medical Store Depot did not provide furniture and equipment for the unit. Earlier, substandard furniture was bought at high prices, sources alleged.

The unit also lacks security, as there is no compound wall around. "Thieves can steal equipment or furniture anytime from the unit," an official said.

The unit has no separate front entrance: hospital employees occupied the only space where a gate could be constructed.

Aided by high officials of the hospital, some workers allegedly grabbed land. "Although there is a mosque, they have constructed another on the premises with land grabbing intent," a worker said.

The DMCH has now planned to inaugurate the unit next month. Contacted, DMCH Director Nazmul Huda said: "We could not arrange to have all the equipment yet. We received anesthesia machine a few days ago. We cannot take the risk of operating the unit without being fully equipped."