Kerala’s First Skin Bank to Open in Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala’s first skin bank will be launched on July 15, 2025, at the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital (MCH). This special facility will store donated skin and help treat burn victims. It is an important step to improve healthcare and offer better treatment to people with severe burns.

A New Facility for Burn Victims

The skin bank is being set up at Thiruvananthapuram MCH, and it will be the first of its kind in Kerala. It will be inaugurated on July 15, which is also World Plastic Surgery Day. The total cost of setting up the bank is Rs 6.75 crore. The bank will collect skin donations from people, which can later be used to treat people with serious burns. Donated skin helps reduce pain, risk of infection, and improves healing for burn patients.

Approval and Expansion Plans

The skin bank has received official approval from Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (K-SOTTO). Health Minister Veena George said that work is also ongoing to open another skin bank in Kottayam Government Medical College. This shows the state’s commitment to improving burn care in Kerala.

Burn Units and Plastic Surgery Centres

To further support burn victims, burn care centres have been started in Alappuzha, Kollam, and Kannur medical colleges. These centres have special Burns ICUs to treat patients with severe injuries. Plastic surgery units have also been started in these hospitals to offer better care and recovery options.