Context:
Recently, North India’s first skin bank was inaugurated in Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital.
Relevance:
GS II: Health
About Skin Banks:
- Skin banks are dedicated facilities where cadaveric skin is processed and preserved under optimal conditions for the purpose of benefiting burn victims.
- The donated skin can be harvested within 6 hours after the donor’s death.
- Skin donation is open to individuals of any sex and blood group, with a minimum donor age of 18 years. There is no upper age limit for skin donation.
- Skin from individuals with certain conditions, such as AIDS, Hepatitis B & C, sexually transmitted diseases, skin cancer, active skin disease, and septicemia, is considered unfit for donation.
- During the skin harvesting process, a blood sample is taken from the deceased for necessary tests, including HIV, viral markers, and hepatitis.
- A history of trauma or burns in the donor’s past does not make them unfit for skin donation.
- Preserved skin is typically stored in a 85% glycerol solution and kept at temperatures between 4-5 degrees Celsius. It can be stored for up to 5 years.
- In India, there are 16 skin banks across the country. Maharashtra has seven, Chennai has four, Karnataka has three, and Madhya Pradesh and Odisha each have one.
-Source: Indian Express
