Specialized Burn Unit in Colombia Serves Patients from Across the Andean Region and the Caribbean

• Burns remain a critical cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In response to this challenge, the Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) has developed one of the most comprehensive burn units in the Andean region and the Caribbean—an area designed from the very architectural planning of the hospital to provide specialized, continuous, and patient-centered care.
• The unit includes individual patient rooms, a dedicated operating room, outpatient consultation areas, and therapeutic equipment, enabling the comprehensive treatment of complex cases. Its model incorporates physical, emotional, and functional care, delivered by a highly trained team available 24/7, and coordinated with multiple hospital specialties such as ICUs, surgery, pediatrics, pain management, and rehabilitation.
• HIC treats patients from various regions of Colombia and abroad, including countries in Latin America and several Caribbean islands. It also strengthens its role as a regional referral center through an active continuing medical education program, ensuring that scientific knowledge evolves in parallel with the clinical and social needs of burn patients.

Bucaramanga, Colombia, March 2025. Burn injuries continue to be one of the most devastating causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 180,000 people die from burns each year, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. Beyond these fatal figures, millions of people survive with severe sequelae that profoundly affect their quality of life, including permanent disabilities, disfigurement, and lasting psychological trauma.

Although commonly associated with extraordinary events, burns occur more frequently in everyday settings such as homes or workplaces, affecting individuals of all ages. Children under the age of 4 and adults over 60 are especially vulnerable due to their increased risk of dehydration, infection, and poor wound healing.

In response to this complex reality, the Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC), located in Bucaramanga, has developed one of the most comprehensive burn units in the region. It was purposefully designed from the earliest architectural phase of the hospital to address the multiple dimensions of burn care with precision and coordination. This vision, as explained by Dr. Carlos Ramírez Ribero, Head of the Burn Unit, has been essential in consolidating the service:

"This unit was conceived during the hospital's design phase, with all the necessary infrastructure in place, allowing us to offer integrated care that spans all treatment stages—from acute management to rehabilitation and long-term follow-up."

This planning has resulted in a robust infrastructure comprising 20 private inpatient rooms (including two with specialized isolation systems), a dedicated operating room with a recovery area, and spaces for specialized outpatient consultations, wound care, psychological support, physical and occupational therapy, and postoperative follow-ups. This setup enables continuous, specialized, and patient-centered care—from admission through to functional and emotional recovery.

The unit's care profile reflects both the diversity and complexity of clinical situations handled by the medical team.

"Our most common patients are children with scalds or electrical injuries, but we also treat burns caused by open flames, chemicals, friction, and even lightning strikes," says Dr. Ramírez. He also notes that the unit has treated patients from various parts of Colombia and internationally—including the Caribbean islands, Ecuador, Venezuela, Panama, and referrals from Mexico— underscoring its growing role as a regional leader in specialized burn care.

Behind this care model is a highly specialized team made up of four plastic surgeons (including hand surgery specialists), four general physicians available 24/7, and dedicated nursing, support, and auxiliary staff—all trained specifically in burn care. This structure ensures a high-level technical approach while remaining sensitive to the emotional and physical complexity of each case.

Multidimensional Care and Evolving Knowledge

HIC's burn care model is founded on a key principle: treating burn patients with an integrated approach that addresses not only the physical injury but also emotional and functional consequences.

"We have continuous support from psychology, psychiatry, physical and occupational therapy, and nutrition. All of these are part of the recovery process for our patients," says Dr. Ramírez, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the care provided.

This comprehensive care extends beyond the burn unit itself, reinforced through collaboration with other high-complexity departments in the hospital.

"We are backed by adult and pediatric ICUs and by essential specialties such as internal medicine, pediatrics, pain management, physiatry, ENT, ophthalmology, orthopedics, general surgery, and pediatric surgery," he explains, emphasizing the team's coordinated response to complex cases.

Simultaneously, the hospital maintains a strong commitment to scientific advancement and medical education. Through an ongoing continuing medical education program, the team participates in regular academic sessions and clinical seminars covering topics ranging from burn pathophysiology to infection control, chemical and electrical injuries, clinical nutrition, and rehabilitation strategies—helping ensure the highest standards of care and the development of skilled healthcare professionals.

The mission of the service is clear: combining infrastructure, human talent, and applied science for the benefit of the patient.

"Families, patients, and insurance providers can rest assured that our burn unit has everything needed to care for patients with any type of burn requiring hospitalization. We have the capacity, the knowledge, and the commitment," Dr. Ramírez concludes.