PESHAWAR: The Burns and Plastic Surgery Centre in Peshawar reported a 66 per cent increase in patient admissions last year, highlighting the urgent need for a provincial burn prevention programme. Since its establishment in 2018, the 120-bed public sector facility has emerged as the sole dedicated centre for burn injuries in the region, also treating 114 patients from neighbouring Afghanistan.
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Prof Tahmeedullah, director of the centre, said the facility managed a record 44,877 patients in 2025 and performed 9,338 surgeries, including plastic reconstruction, trauma, and burn treatments. Outpatient visits reached 13,881 while 1,808 patients required hospitalisation, underscoring the growing demand for specialised care and resources.
He urged the government to launch a comprehensive burn prevention scheme, noting that most injuries were preventable through awareness and safety measures. The centre is also working to establish a provincial burn registry to maintain accurate records and guide policy-making for better patient outcomes.
Burn injuries in Pakistan affect an estimated 1.5 million people annually, with around 10 per cent being life-threatening and requiring hospitalisation. Prof Tahmeed added that 15–20 per cent of victims become permanently disabled, and 70 per cent of those affected are in the 15–40 age group, with 80 per cent from low-income families.
Despite rising caseloads, the centre has expanded its services and capabilities, including super-microvascular and lymphedema treatments, and procured advanced equipment such as a Near-Infrared ICG Camera and an electric surgical piezo drill. Prof Tahmeed said the centre also hosts international delegates seeking expertise in managing trauma and terrorism-related injuries.
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The facility is collaborating with the provincial health department to improve district-level plastic surgery services and ensure timely local care, aiming to reduce pressure on the Peshawar centre and improve overall burn management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.