AIIMS trauma centre will soon start a new 100-bedded dedicated facility to treat patients suffering from burn injuries. Most burns patients were generally rushed to Safdarjung, RML or Lok Nayak hospitals for treatment.

Dr Randeep Guleria, AIIMS director, said that the burns and plastic surgery block is ready and process is on to equip it with state-of-the-art operation theatres and facilities like hyperbaric chamber. The facility is expected to be operational by the end of the year. The block will house a 24X7 burns emergency ward, two ICUs (each with 15 beds), six OTs and a state-of-the-art shower jet bathing system.

Dr Aarti Vij, professor and in-charge of organ retrieval banking organisation, said that the independent facility will have a skin bank for patients with severe burns and for those who suffer damage during accident or surgery. She also added that patients suffering more than 50% burns often require skin implants. As part of the procedure, the skin from the wounded part is removed and is replaced either with the patient’s own skin or donated or artificial skin. This bank will become one of the largest government-run skin banks in north India.

Dr Maneesh Singhal , head of the department of plastics, reconstructive and burns surgery department, also said people can donate skin just like other organs. Though, it is not done due to lack of awareness. After a person dies, the skin can be taken off within six hours and stored for a few years. There will also be a laboratory for regenerative medicine for using artificial skin. He further said that this department along with IIT-Delhi has developed an artificial skin, which is currently under animal trial.