1. Historical Milestone: Kerala’s First Skin Bank On July 15, 2025 (coinciding with World Plastic Surgery Day), Kerala inaugurated its first-ever skin bank at the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital (MCH). This facility marks a revolutionary shift in the state’s ability to treat severe burn victims.
- Cost of Project: ₹6.75 crore.
- Regulatory Body: Approved by K-SOTTO (Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation).
- Purpose: To collect, process, and store donated human skin (allografts) for use in patients with extensive burns (typically >30% body surface area).
2. How the Skin Bank Functions A skin bank acts as a repository for skin harvested from deceased donors. This stored skin serves as a temporary biological dressing, which is critical for survival in major burn cases.
- Harvesting: Skin is retrieved within 6–12 hours of death (only the thin outer layer from legs, thighs, and back).
- Processing: The skin is treated with glycerol to ensure it is sterile and safe for use.
- Storage: Can be preserved for up to 5 years in specialised refrigerators (4°C to 8°C).
- Clinical Benefits: * Reduces Infection: Acts as a barrier against bacteria.
- Pain Relief: Covers exposed nerve endings.
- Prevents Fluid Loss: Maintains the body’s electrolyte balance.
3. Strategic Expansion of Burn Care Health Minister Veena George announced a decentralised plan to ensure advanced burn care is accessible across the state:
| Facility Type | Locations |
| Proposed Skin Bank | Kottayam Government Medical College |
| Existing Burn Units | Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur |
| New Specialist Units | Alappuzha, Kollam, Kannur (including Plastic Surgery departments) |
| Under Development | Kozhikode Medical College |
Note: The expansion includes specialized Burns ICUs and integrated Plastic Surgery units to provide long-term reconstructive and rehabilitative care.11
4. Key Organisations to Remember * K-SOTTO: The state-level nodal agency for organ and tissue donation.
- NOTTO: The National Body under which K-SOTTO functions.
- World Plastic Surgery Day: Celebrated annually on July 15, chosen as the launch date to raise awareness about reconstructive medical advancements.