Researchers at the George Institute for Global Health have identified key areas where India’s health system can improve support for patients seeking care for burn injuries, officials said.
Mental health support for patients, more training and counselling for healthcare providers and anti-discrimination policies in health institutions were among several recommendations that was made in the study conducted by the medical research institute.
The study conducted in Uttar Pradesh explored how burn survivors experience stigma and discrimination within healthcare settings and proposed a set of policy and practice recommendations to address these gaps.
Claimed to be first-of-its-kind study globally that specifically aimed to assess stigma faced by burn patients in hospitals and healthcare settings, the research was carried out as part of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) early career grants programme, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), UK.
Even as survival rates have increased with better medical care, the study suggested that institutional neglect, under-resourced facilities, overburdened staff, and systemic failures are some reasons for burn patients receiving discriminatory and low-quality care.
According to officials, burns can result in emotional, physical and psychological damage, particularly for patients with visible disfigurements or disabilities and those from underprivileged backgrounds.
Worldwide, there are about 180,000 deaths each year due to burns, with the greatest burden in low- and middle-income countries. India contributes to the largest burden of approximately 2.1 million burn injuries, 25,000 deaths, and more than 1.4 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) annually.
“Burn survivors, particularly women and poor people, receive blame and isolation and face neglect in hospitals. At the same time, overworked and under-supported healthcare staff struggle with burnout, which can lead to unintentional but harmful behaviour towards patients.
“Addressing both patient experiences and system challenges is key to building compassionate and fair burn care,” said Pratishtha Singh from the George Institute for Global Health.
Jagnoor Jagnoor, also from the George Institute for Global Health, said, “Burn survivors show extraordinary resilience in the face of life-altering injuries. Yet, stigma within the very systems meant to support them continues to be a barrier to recovery and reintegration. Our research highlights the urgent need to create inclusive, dignified spaces that empower survivors to heal, thrive, and reclaim their place in society.” Findings from the study suggest that practical steps such as improved provider training, dedicated counselling services, and clear operational guidelines can help create a more supportive environment for burn patients in healthcare facilities.
While India has made commendable strides in emergency burn care in recent years, long-term issues such as persistent stigma, inadequate mental health support, and limited social reintegration of recovered patients remain largely neglected.
The study was conducted in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, with more than 200 million people, 77.7 per cent of whom reside in rural areas. With its limited medical infrastructure and health indicators, the region was a critical location for such a study, emphasising the pressing need for systemic upgrades in patient care throughout India.
The research involved interviews with burn patients, healthcare providers, and legal professionals and highlights the need to address both structural limitations and interpersonal interactions in hospitals. Participants reported challenges such as limited empathetic communication, social isolation during hospitalisation, and perceived differences in care based on socioeconomic background.
Introducing structured training and counselling for healthcare providers on burns-related stigma, patient-centred care, and mental health support were recommended by the researchers.
They also recommended updating medical and nursing curricula to include modules on empathetic communication and psychosocial aspects of burn recovery; strengthening hospital-based support systems, including mental health services and rehabilitation pathways, especially in public facilities.
Developing and implementing anti-discrimination policies in health institutions, tailored to the needs of visibly injured or disabled patients, are also among the recommendations made in the study.
