Uttara plane crash: Blood crisis at Burn Institute as negative blood groups urgently needed

A severe shortage of blood—especially rare negative blood groups—has emerged at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery following the tragic fighter jet crash in Uttara.

On Monday (July 21), hospital authorities said that over a hundred burn victims are currently undergoing surgery and require immediate blood transfusions. The demand is particularly high for B-negative, O-negative, AB-negative, and A-negative blood groups, which are in critically short supply in the hospital's blood bank.

Ansar personnel on duty at the hospital have been continuously making public announcements, urging negative blood group donors to come to the 8th floor of the burn unit.

“Donors are responding, but we’re specifically requesting those with negative blood groups,” said Rezaul Karim, an Ansar member. “We're announcing it over the mic as per the urgent calls from inside the hospital.”

One donor, Nixon, shared his experience: “I went to donate B-positive blood, but the doctors said there's an acute shortage of AB-positive, AB-negative, and O-negative blood. It’s alarming.”

A doctor from the institute reported that many of the critically burned patients are children, women, and students, requiring repeated transfusions. “Our supply of negative blood types is almost exhausted,” the doctor said.

Family members of the injured are also rushing to donate, though not all are eligible. “My blood type doesn't match, so I can't donate—even though I desperately want to,” said one relative. “I urge everyone with negative blood groups to please come forward.”

In light of the emergency, the institute has called upon social organizations and volunteers to urgently step in and donate blood.

Willing donors can directly visit the 8th floor of the Burn Institute or register at the hospital's help desk.