Varanasi Burn Institute

Varanasi Burn Institute: Building India's Largest, State-of-the-Art Burn Care Hospital

Every year, millions of burn survivors in India are denied the dignity of access to quality care and rehabilitation. India witnesses nearly 7 million burn injuries and over 140,000 deaths annually, with fewer than 70 specialised burn units nationwide, albeit unevenly distributed, under-resourced, and often expensive to those who need them most. Survivors often include women, children, and acid attack victims, who live with tragic physical, emotional, and economic consequences. Yet, with only a little less than 70 dedicated burn centres for 1.4 billion people, most of which lack modern equipment or trained specialists, comprehensive treatment is out of reach for millions.

The Varanasi Burn Institute (VBI) aims to change that. Currently under construction in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, VBI will be India’s largest, state-of-the-art, not-for-profit hospital dedicated entirely to burns, treating everything from acute emergencies to long-term rehabilitation. It will serve as a national model of excellence, transforming care for a population of over 400 million people across Northern and Eastern India.

When complete, the 125-bedded facility will feature:

• 25 ICUs, each with independent air handling units (AHUs) to minimise infection risk.
• 6 advanced modular operating theatres equipped for complex reconstructive surgeries.
• 25 HDUs (high dependency units/step-down ICUs), plus general, private, emergency, and post-operative wards.
• Dedicated dialysis, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support facilities for holistic recovery.
• Accommodation and food facilities for patients’ families, ensuring support during long treatments.
• Modern Skin Bank: A game-changing facility for major burn victims, capable of storing donor skin for up to 5 years.
• In-house Blood Bank for rapid, life-saving transfusions.
• Telemedicine network, providing 24×7 guidance to peripheral hospitals for emergency burn management.
• Specialised Acid Burn Care Unit offering tailored treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation.
• Research Laboratory focused on cultured skin development, advanced wound healing, infection control, and new treatment protocols.
• Training & Education Centre to build the next generation of burn specialists, nurses, and allied health professionals.
• Collaboration with Government Health Systems to train PHCs, UPHCs, and district hospitals, improving burn care at the grassroots level.

OUR MODEL

VBI will run on a cross-subsidy model, with 75% of patients treated free or at subsidised rates, using government schemes such as PM-JAY/Ayushman Bharat, and the remaining 25% being paid patients.

OUR IMPACT
In its first 20 years, VBI is projected to treat nearly 2 million patients and prevent over 200,000 families from falling into poverty due to catastrophic health expenses. Its specialised care will prevent lifelong disabilities, restore livelihoods, and empower survivors to live with dignity.

OUR PROGRESS
This is a ₹125 crore ($15M) project. We wholeheartedly thank the Thompson Family Foundation (USA) for the lead gift. We have secured approximately ₹50 crore ($6M) and expect to raise another ₹25 crore ($3M) within the next year. Additional donor support is urgently needed to equip the hospital and begin operations.

WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS NOW
By contributing today, donors can build a landmark institution that will save lives, inspire similar centres nationwide, and bring world-class burn care to some of India's most vulnerable populations.