Kerala's First Skin Bank To Be Launched Within A Month: Health Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The state’s first skin bank will be launched at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College within the next month, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said. The necessary preparations for the skin bank are in the final phase and are awaiting approval from the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (K-SOTTO).

“Approval from K-SOTTO will be obtained immediately, and the necessary procedures will be completed to commission the skin bank within a month,” the minister said.

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Skin banks collect, preserve, and transplant donated human skin tissue using advanced technology. This process would be beneficial for treating burn and accident victims, especially to reduce the risk of infection, save lives, and prevent disfigurement. “Like other organs, awareness about skin donation needs to be strengthened,” the minister said.

Burn units function under the supervision of the Plastic Surgery Department. They have been set at major medical colleges across Kerala to arrange specialised treatment for burn victims.

Currently, burn units are functioning in medical colleges in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Thrissur, and in Ernakulam General Hospital and the Kollam District Hospital.

The work is progressing to set up burn units in the Kozhikode Medical College. Similarly, proposals are in place for burn units at Kollam, Alappuzha, and Kannur Medical Colleges.

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Besides, a working group has been equipped with the task of submitting a proposal to standardise the operation of burns units within 15 days. Following, a standardised treatment protocol will be developed. The minister has also instructed the establishment of a centralised mechanism to coordinate schemes at the Directorate of Medical Education.