Mumbai is set to get a 30-bed public hospital specialising in treatment of burn injuries by 2020. The state health ministry, according to a Hindustan Times report, announced its decision to build this centre three days after the fire at the Kamla Mills compound killed 14 people.
Dr Deepak Sawant, health minister, told Hindustan Times that the special burns centre will have a skin bank facility and will be set up at the government-run Samanya Rugnalaya in Malwani, Malad.
Though several public hospitals have facilities to treat burns, people who sustain 50 percent burn injuries are transferred to NBC (National Burns Center). The government kept this in mind while making its decision to set up the new centre.Dr Sawant
According to the HT report, health officials also said the skin bank – a facility where skin is taken from cadavers and donors and then processed – was much needed.
The skin can be stored for upto five years and used to treat people who have suffered deep burns, chemical burns and electrical burns. Timely skin grafts can protect such patients from fatal infections, as well.
At the present moment, reported HT, Mumbai city has a single skin bank set up at Sion Hospital in 2000.
We will create awareness among people, asking them to donate skin like they donate organs. This will be a ray of hope for people with serious burn injuries.Dr Sawant to HT
Five patients receiving treatments for minor burns after the fire at Kamala Mills compound were discharged from Bhatia Hospital on Monday and one more patient with 30 to 35 percent burns has shown slight improvement.
The fire claimed 14 lives and six people who suffered minor burns are still undergoing treatment at Bhatia Hospital where they were shifted to from KEM Hospital against medical advice.
An NRI, whose condition is critical due to third degree severe burns is still under observation, reported HT. He has started responding to treatment and his internal organs are stable, as well.
(With inputs from Hindustan Times)
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