Major boost to burn care in Kerala
Kerala Sets Up Its First Skin Bank in Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s first-ever skin bank will begin operations on July 15, 2025, at the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital (MCH). This initiative marks a significant milestone in burn injury treatment and emergency medical care in the state.
Set up at a cost of ₹6.75 crore, this bank will store donated human skin to treat patients with serious burns. It aims to reduce pain, prevent infections, and improve recovery outcomes.
Timed with a global health day
The inauguration of the skin bank coincides with World Plastic Surgery Day, making the launch symbolically significant. Skin grafting plays a major role in plastic surgery, especially in reconstructing skin lost to fire accidents, acid attacks, or severe infections.
The facility will support patients not only from Thiruvananthapuram but also from across Kerala and neighbouring regions.
State-level approval and planned expansion
The skin bank has received approval from the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (K-SOTTO), which monitors and regulates organ and tissue donation and transplantation in the state.
Static GK fact: K-SOTTO functions under the guidelines of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO).
Health Minister Veena George confirmed that a second skin bank is being planned at Kottayam Government Medical College, showing Kerala’s intent to scale up skin donation and burn care infrastructure.
Strengthening medical infrastructure for burn care
To build a wider support network for burn victims, Burn Care Centres have already been set up at Alappuzha, Kollam, and Kannur government medical colleges. These facilities are equipped with specialised Burns ICUs, enabling round-the-clock care for patients with extensive or life-threatening injuries.
Plastic surgery departments have also been integrated into these medical colleges to aid in long-term skin reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Static GK tip: India’s first skin bank was established in 1997 at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai, making Kerala the latest state to join this crucial medical initiative.
Significance for future healthcare
Skin banking is a life-saving procedure in burn treatment, especially when autografting (using the patient’s own skin) is not possible due to the extent of burns. Allografts, or donated human skin, act as a temporary biological dressing.
This initiative is expected to promote skin donation awareness in Kerala and save countless lives in the years ahead.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Kerala Sets Up Its First Skin Bank in Thiruvananthapuram:
| Topic | Detail |
| Inauguration Date | July 15, 2025 |
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital |
| Project Cost | ₹6.75 crore |
| Occasion | World Plastic Surgery Day |
| Approval Body | Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (K-SOTTO) |
| Expansion Plan | Next skin bank in Kottayam Medical College |
| Supporting Centres | Burn ICUs in Alappuzha, Kollam, Kannur |
| Skin Bank Use | Temporary biological dressing for burn victims |
| Health Minister | Veena George |
| India’s First Skin Bank | Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai (1997) |
