Aerial view of a construction site on a desert landscape during sunset, with partially built structures and surrounding trees.

Building the future of burn care.

Construction site with steel rebar and concrete structures under building progress at sunset.

construction photos from November 2025

Construction site with concrete pillars and steel reinforcement bars, some workers walking and construction materials stacked on the ground.

Construction site with workers, steel reinforcement bars, and concrete columns during sunset.

Construction site at sunset with concrete pillars, steel reinforcement bars, and stacks of wood planks; two workers visible, one walking and one standing, with a partially built structure and scaffolding.

healing burns, transforming lives

The Varanasi Burn Institute will transform lives with:

• 126-Bed Facility: Phase I (62 beds)
and Phase II (64 beds)

• Regional Skin Bank: The first in the area,
providing life-saving grafts.

• 26 ICU beds with individual Air Handling Units.

• 24/7 Emergency Services: Dedicated burn ambulances for rapid response.

• Telemedicine Facility: Connecting remote areas
for expert care.

• Comprehensive Rehab: Supporting survivors’ mobility & quality of life.

• Research Unit: Advancing solutions for burn injuries.

• Training Hub: Educating medical staff nationwide.

The Varanasi Burn Institute (VBI) is set to become India’s largest and most advanced burn center, redefining the national standard for specialized medical care. Spanning the country’s largest dedicated site area and building structure, VBI leads in capacity with the highest number of ICU and non-ICU beds in the region. It is designed as a truly comprehensive hospital that bridges the gap between acute surgical intervention and long-term recovery—guiding patients from despair to the light of hope.

VBI was planned by healthcare experts. It will house the region’s first skin bank alongside its own blood bank, ensuring critical resources are immediately available. To combat the high risk of cross-infection, every ICU suite is engineered with an independent air handling system, ensuring a sterile environment for every patient. This commitment to excellence extends beyond the facility's walls through a 24/7 emergency department, dedicated ICU ambulances, and a robust telemedicine program that provides remote patient care, follow-up, and regional training. From intensive care to psychological support, VBI is being built for healing and innovation.

Modern hospital reception area with wooden and white interior, featuring signs for 'Advanced Burn Unit' and a few people waiting or talking.

“The Varanasi Burn Institute will provide inspiration and immediately improve the standards of care for burn victims in India and South Asian countries.”

— Dr. Subodh Singh

With funding from the Thompson Family Foundation this dream is now reality.

A woman and a man smiling at a social event, dressed in formal attire, standing inside a tent.

Bill and Nancy Thompson, founders of the Thompson Family Foundation, have guided its growth from local school and community support to transformative, multi-year commitments in education, healthcare, and humanitarian causes, including the Thompson Center for Autism in Missouri. Their philosophy of “engaged philanthropy” led them to India, where, during a visit, they met renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Subodh Singh. Moved by his dedication to equitable burn care access, the Thompsons committed to supporting his long-term vision. With start-up funding from the Foundation, a new state-of-the-art burn care center is now under construction in Varanasi. The facility will more than triple the number of surgeries performed from about 4,000 a year to over 15,000—and will serve as a training hub for doctors across India, expanding access to life-changing treatment for burn survivors.