Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 23 (NationPress) A remarkable advancement in public healthcare has been achieved in Kerala with the initiation of skin processing at the state's inaugural skin bank, located at the Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram.

This facility is anticipated to significantly improve treatment outcomes for individuals grappling with severe burns and extensive skin loss, conditions that often lead to life-threatening complications.

According to State Health Minister Veena George, the skin bank was established to provide world-class care for burn victims within the public health system.

The Minister also noted plans are in motion to establish a second skin bank at the Government Medical College in Kottayam, which will further enhance the state's burn care infrastructure.

This skin bank preserves donated skin under meticulously controlled temperature and safety standards.

After a chemical processing period of roughly three weeks, the skin becomes suitable for clinical application.

It is then grafted onto patients through plastic surgery employing advanced medical methodologies.

Such skin grafts are crucial for addressing severe burn injuries, where skin loss compromises the body's natural defenses, raising the risk of infection, fluid loss, and intense pain.

Medical professionals indicate that the transplanted skin acts as a biological dressing, offering immediate coverage to the affected areas.

This procedure helps in substantially lowering infection rates, alleviating pain, and preventing fluid and electrolyte loss, thereby stabilizing patients during critical recovery phases.

The availability of banked skin is especially vital for patients with extensive burns, where there may not be enough healthy skin available for auto grafting.

The initial skin harvesting at the bank was made possible through the consent of the family of a brain-dead donor, underscoring the significance of awareness regarding skin donation.

Officials have clarified that skin retrieval does not result in disfigurement, as it is collected from less visible areas like the back of the thighs.

The procedure was conducted by a team led by Dr. Prem Lal from the Plastic Surgery Department.

Depending on clinical needs, skin harvested from a single donor can assist one or more patients.

The skin bank collaborates closely with burns units and specialized burns ICUs under the supervision of plastic surgery departments.

These ICUs offer advanced care for patients with over 10 percent burn injuries, contributing to reduced infections, faster healing, and improved survival rates, marking a significant enhancement to Kerala's capabilities in advanced burn management.