Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s first skin bank, set up at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, has begun skin processing, marking a major milestone in strengthening advanced care for patients suffering from severe burn injuries.
Boost to Burn Treatment Outcomes
The new facility is expected to significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients with extensive burns and major skin loss. Such conditions often lead to life-threatening complications, and timely availability of processed donor skin can play a crucial role in saving lives.
State Government’s Public Health Initiative
According to an IANS report, State Health Minister Veena George said the skin bank was established to ensure world-class burn care within the public healthcare system. She added that the initiative reflects the state’s commitment to strengthening specialised medical services.
Plans to Expand Skin Banking Network
The Health Minister further informed that steps are underway to establish another skin bank at the Government Medical College in Kottayam. This expansion is expected to further enhance Kerala’s burn care infrastructure and improve access across regions.
How the Skin Bank Functions
The skin bank preserves donated skin under strictly controlled temperature and safety protocols. After a chemical processing phase lasting several weeks, the skin is rendered suitable for clinical use and later grafted onto patients through plastic surgery using advanced techniques.
Role of Skin Grafts in Burn Care
Medical experts explain that transplanted skin acts as a biological dressing, providing immediate coverage to injured areas. This helps reduce infection risk, minimise pain, prevent fluid and electrolyte loss, and stabilise patients during critical stages of recovery.
Importance of Skin Donation
The first skin harvesting was made possible after the family of a brain-dead donor gave consent, highlighting the importance of public awareness about skin donation. Officials clarified that skin retrieval does not cause disfigurement, as tissue is collected from non-visible areas such as the back of the thighs.
Integrated Burn Care Support System
The skin bank functions in close coordination with burn units and specialised burn intensive care units supervised by plastic surgery departments. These facilities provide advanced care for patients with extensive burns, helping reduce infections, accelerate healing, and improve survival rates, marking a major boost to Kerala’s burn management capacity.
