Fatal burns bring Samanta Lal back into public discourse
Following the collapse of the Awami League government during last year’s mass uprising in July, former health minister and renowned burn specialist Dr Samanta Lal Sen went into hiding.
Since then, there has been widespread uncertainty about his whereabouts – whether he remains in Bangladesh or has left the country. However, sources close to him confirm that he is still within the nation.
While most ministers and MPs from the previous administration faced serious allegations of corruption, no such accusations were ever levelled against Dr Samanta Lal Sen.
Across political lines, he was widely respected as a dedicated "champion" for burn victims – a doctor whose life’s work centred on saving lives scarred by fire.
Across Bangladesh, whenever a major fire broke out anywhere, Dr Sen would immediately react.
He would call frontline medical teams, urgently asking: How many people died? What percentage of their bodies were burned? And he would stress the critical need to transport survivors to the Burn Unit at Dhaka Medical College Hospital within the "golden hour."
He understood better than anyone the urgency of early intervention. Within moments of a severe burn, rapid fluid loss can lead to life-threatening shock.
Inhalation of toxic smoke can devastate the lungs. Pain management and infection control must begin immediately. The faster cooling and treatment commence, the greater the chance of preserving viable tissue and saving lives.
Over the years, it became common to see Dr Sen arrive at the burn unit before patients did – especially when casualties were en route from distant districts. He would personally oversee preparations, ensuring everything was ready for immediate care. His commitment began long before politics; throughout his medical career, treating burn victims was his mission.
At the age of 75, this highly respected technocrat took on the role of Health Minister in the Awami League cabinet – an appointment seen by many as a recognition of his integrity and expertise rather than political loyalty.
On Monday, July 21, tragedy struck again. A Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed into the Haider Hall building of Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka, shortly after takeoff at 1:06pm. The crash triggered a massive fire, engulfing part of the school canteen and nearby areas.
So far 22 people have died – most due to severe burns. Another 171 are receiving treatment across various hospitals in Dhaka, many in critical condition.
As of 8:45pm, at least 10 victims, including students, are fighting for their lives in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Dhaka Medical College Burn Unit. Some have sustained burns over 95% of their bodies. Others lie writhing in pain on hospital beds, their futures uncertain.
In response, Dr Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government, has issued directives to ensure the highest standard of medical care for the injured. He is personally monitoring the situation. Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul confirmed that if necessary, critically injured patients may be airlifted abroad for advanced treatment.
Yet, amid the grief echoing through Dhaka’s hospitals and the anguished cries of families, one name has resurfaced repeatedly in public conversation: Dr Samanta Lal Sen.
Despite ongoing efforts by current medical teams, many citizens – especially those familiar with past fire tragedies – are expressing deep longing for the country's most prominent burn and plastic surgery expert. On social media platforms like Facebook, tributes and calls for Dr Sen have multiplied.
As burn victims were rushed to hospitals one after another, relatives wept and pleaded for expert care. In their desperation, many recalled Dr Sen. “If the political climate allowed,” one family member said, “he would already be here, leading the treatment.”
A source close to Dr Sen told Jago News that he is currently in hiding but remains in Bangladesh. The source claimed to have spoken with him via WhatsApp just a month ago. This reporter attempted multiple times to contact Dr Sen through the provided channel, but received no response.
The fallen aircraft had taken off from Bangabandhu Air Base for a routine training mission. Moments later, it lost control and crashed into the educational complex, sparking a devastating blaze that claimed innocent lives and reignited national trauma around fire safety and emergency healthcare.