As the world observes World Burns Week 2025, the global burn care community unites under the theme “Tackling the Hidden Global Health Crisis” – a mission that resonates deeply with the pioneering work of Dr. Rajeev B Ahuja and his transformative vision through the Burn Healing Foundation in India.
A Visionary Leader in Global Burn Care
Dr. Rajeev Bhushan Ahuja stands as one of the most distinguished figures in international burn care, with over 38 years of experience in Burns & Plastic Surgery. His extraordinary journey from heading the Department of Burns, Plastic, Maxillofacial & Microvascular Surgery at Lok Nayak Hospital and Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, to becoming a global leader has shaped burn care standards across continents.
International Society for Burn Injuries (ISBI) Leadership
Dr. Ahuja’s most significant contribution to global burn care came during his presidency of the International Society for Burn Injuries (ISBI) from 2014-2016. As the President of ISBI, he led initiatives that transformed burn care protocols worldwide and established frameworks for international collaboration that continue to benefit burn survivors globally.
His leadership extended to hosting the 2018 World Congress of International Society for Burn Injuries in Delhi, bringing together the world’s leading burn care specialists to India and showcasing the country’s advances in burn treatment and research. This congress marked a pivotal moment in establishing India as a hub for burn care innovation and education.
The ISBI, under his guidance, strengthened its mission to disseminate knowledge and stimulate prevention in the field of burns. Founded in 1965, ISBI has been instrumental in improving medical care and outcomes for burn patients globally, recognizing the crucial role of multidisciplinary teams including surgeons, anesthetists, critical care physicians, nurses, and rehabilitation specialists.
National Academy of Burns India (NABI) Contributions
Dr. Ahuja’s leadership in Indian burn care was cemented during his tenure as President of the National Academy of Burns-India (NABI) in 2004. During this period, he spearheaded initiatives that elevated burn care standards across the country and established protocols that are still followed today.
His contributions to NABI have been recognized through prestigious awards, including the Research and Oration Award in 2012 and the Phoolan Devi Award for Outstanding Work in the field of burns in 2006, both conferred by the National Academy of Burns India.
Clinical Excellence at Lok Nayak Hospital
As the former Head of the Department of Burns, Plastic, Maxillofacial & Microvascular Surgery at Lok Nayak Hospital, Dr. Ahuja transformed one of India’s most prestigious burn care departments. His clinical leadership at this premier institution shaped the treatment protocols for thousands of burn patients and trained generations of burn care specialists.
His research at Lok Nayak Hospital has contributed significantly to understanding burn care economics in developing countries. His landmark study on the cost of providing inpatient burn care in tertiary hospitals addresses critical healthcare planning needs, especially given that over 85% of burns occur in low and middle-income countries.
The Birth of Burn Healing Foundation: A Vision Realized
Dr. Ahuja’s vision for comprehensive burn care found its most impactful expression through the establishment of the Burn Healing Foundation (BHF). Three years since its launch, BHF has restored 90 lives through a network of 20 partner hospitals across India, evolving into a unique charity for burn survivors with no parallel reconstructive surgery-focused NGO in the world.
Revolutionary Approach to Burn Reconstruction
The Foundation’s approach represents a paradigm shift in burn care philosophy. While acute burn treatment saves lives, the BHF focuses on the often-overlooked aspect of post-burn reconstruction that restores dignity and functionality to survivors. BHF provides reconstructive surgery to poor burn survivors, with treating doctors performing operations free of cost at partner hospitals, addressing the critical gap in post-burn rehabilitation services.
Network of Excellence
The Foundation’s network of 24 partner hospitals across India represents a collaborative model that maximizes resource utilization while ensuring quality care. This distributed approach allows BHF to reach burn survivors in diverse geographic locations while maintaining consistent treatment standards.
World Burns Week 2025: Amplifying the Mission
World Burns Week 2025’s theme “Tackling the Hidden Global Health Crisis” aligns perfectly with Dr. Ahuja’s lifelong mission. Burns represent one of the most neglected areas of global health, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations in low and middle-income countries.
Addressing Global Inequities
The current ISBI leadership emphasizes that World Burns Week is critical to raising awareness of burn injury, with last year’s conference reaching 95 countries and over a thousand people. Dr. Ahuja’s foundational work during his ISBI presidency established the framework for such global initiatives.
The statistics underscore the urgency of this mission: In India alone, over 1 million people suffer burn injuries annually, with kitchen accidents accounting for 60% of domestic burns and women comprising 75% of burn victims in domestic settings.
Prevention and Education Focus
Dr. Ahuja’s vision extends beyond treatment to prevention and education. His extensive research and publications in peer-reviewed journals have contributed to evidence-based burn prevention strategies. His work on postburn pruritus, electrical burn injuries, and burn care protocols has been published in leading international journals, providing clinicians worldwide with practical guidance for patient care.
Academic and Research Legacy
Editorial Leadership
Dr. Ahuja’s influence on global burn care literature is evident through his editorial roles. He serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery (JPRAS) since 2008 and as Senior Editorial Board Member of BURNS, the official journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries, since 2007.
International Recognition
His contributions have been recognized through numerous international appointments, including his role as Founder President of the Asia Pacific Burns Association (APBA) and Executive Director of APBA since June 2021. He also served as Chairman of the 15th World Congress of International Confederation of Plastic, Reconstructive, & Aesthetic Surgery (IPRAS) in 2009.
Vision for the Future: Scaling Impact Through Technology and Collaboration
Dr. Ahuja’s vision for the Burn Healing Foundation extends beyond current achievements. The Foundation aims to leverage technology and telemedicine to reach remote areas, establishing satellite centers that can provide preliminary assessment and follow-up care while maintaining connection to specialized centers for complex procedures.
Educational Initiatives
The Foundation plans to establish training programs for healthcare workers in burn prevention and basic care, recognizing that most burn injuries are preventable with proper awareness and immediate care knowledge. At the recently concluded Asia Pacific Burn Congress in goa India he spoke about” PHilanthrophy through burns – youtube link to be embedded here “
Research and Innovation
Dr. Ahuja’s ongoing research projects, including contributions to comprehensive burn care textbooks, continue to shape global burn care protocols and training materials. The Foundation aims to become a research hub that can contribute evidence-based solutions to global burn care challenges.
Economic Impact and Sustainability
The Foundation’s economic model addresses a critical barrier to burn care access. With average treatment costs ranging from ₹2-10 lakhs for severe burns and long-term rehabilitation costs exceeding ₹50 lakhs, BHF’s free reconstructive surgery program provides life-changing opportunities for underprivileged patients.
The Foundation’s 80G tax exemption status encourages philanthropic support, while its partnership model with hospitals ensures sustainable operations without the overhead of maintaining independent facilities.
Global Collaboration and Knowledge Transfer
Dr. Ahuja’s approach emphasizes the importance of knowledge transfer and capacity building. His experience in organizing international congresses and his role in establishing the Asia Pacific Burns Association demonstrate his commitment to creating sustainable networks for knowledge sharing and collaborative care.
Call to Action: World Burns Week 2025
As World Burns Week 2025 unfolds, the global burn care community can draw inspiration from Dr. Ahuja’s model of combining clinical excellence with systemic change. The Burn Healing Foundation’s success demonstrates that sustainable impact requires:
- Collaborative Networks: Building partnerships that leverage existing infrastructure
- Focus on Reconstruction: Addressing the complete continuum of burn care
- Prevention Education: Investing in community awareness and safety training
- Research Integration: Ensuring evidence-based practices inform all interventions
- Economic Accessibility: Removing financial barriers to quality care
A Legacy of Healing and Hope
Dr. Rajeev B Ahuja’s journey from the burn wards of Lok Nayak Hospital to the presidency of ISBI and the establishment of the Burn Healing Foundation represents more than individual achievement – it embodies a vision of global health equity and collaborative care that resonates with World Burns Week’s mission.
As he notes, “BHF is evolving into a unique charity for burn survivors, with no other parallel reconstructive surgery focused NGO in the world.” This uniqueness stems not from exclusivity but from the comprehensive approach that addresses the full spectrum of burn care needs.
The Foundation’s motto of “Restoring Lives” captures the essence of World Burns Week 2025’s call to tackle the hidden global health crisis of burns. Through Dr. Ahuja’s leadership, the burn care community has a model for how individual vision, international collaboration, and systematic intervention can transform lives and communities.
As World Burns Week 2025 is observed globally , the call to action is clear: support initiatives like the Burn Healing Foundation that combine immediate care with long-term reconstruction, clinical excellence with community education, and local impact with global knowledge sharing. Only through such comprehensive approaches can we truly tackle the hidden global health crisis that burns represent.
References
- Burn Healing Foundation Official Website: www.burnhealingfoundation.com
- International Society for Burn Injuries: worldburn.org
- World Burns Week Information: ISBI World Burns Week Portal
- Dr. Ahuja’s Research Publications: ResearchGate Profile
- National Academy of Burns India: www.thenabi.org
- Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Burns Department: sgrh.com
Disclaimer
For donations and support to the Burn Healing Foundation: Contact 8595748981 or visit www.burnhealingfoundation.com
This article is published in support of World Burns Week 2025 and the global mission to tackle burns as a hidden health crisis.
