Madurai's GRH Hospital: A Critical Hub for Burn Treatment and Skin Donation
Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), a premier referral center in southern Tamil Nadu, continues to serve as a vital institution for treating burn victims. Its specialized burns ward manages more than fifty cracker-blast injuries annually from neighboring districts like Sivakasi, alongside hundreds of other burn cases each year.
Skin Bank: A Lifeline for Severe Burn Patients
Dean Dr. L. Arul Sundaresh Kumar emphasized that the GRH skin bank ranks among the top-performing facilities in Tamil Nadu, functioning as an essential resource for critically injured patients throughout the region. Dr. K. Raja, associate professor and plastic surgeon, highlighted the limited public awareness regarding skin donation and its life-saving potential.
"Skin, being the body's largest organ, is remarkably stretchable," Dr. Raja explained. "A single donor can provide life support to at least three or four patients." Skin harvested from deceased donors within five to six hours is preserved and primarily utilized for individuals suffering from 40% to 60% burns. This donor skin plays a crucial role in shielding the body from life-threatening infections and preventing fluid loss in severe burn scenarios.
Temporary Protection and Improved Outcomes
Dr. Raja clarified that donated skin does not serve as a permanent replacement. "It acts as a temporary protective layer until the patient's body regenerates its own skin, which typically takes about fifteen days," he stated. Hospital data from 2025 revealed that eighty-eight patients were admitted for cracker-burst injuries, with eighty-one men and seven women receiving treatment at GRH. While many required major surgeries, others underwent minor procedures.
"In such cases, donor skin significantly enhances treatment outcomes," Dr. Raja added. Although Sivakasi possesses its own burn-care facilities, patients with more severe injuries—often involving 30% to 60% burns—are referred to GRH for advanced medical attention.
Advanced Facilities and Growing Impact
The hospital's burns ward is equipped with twelve ICU beds, twenty regular beds, an exclusive burns theatre, and outpatient services, establishing it as a key center for burn management in southern Tamil Nadu. Since October, GRH has received skin donations from nine donors, benefiting thirty-two patients so far, with the potential to assist nearly ten more individuals.
"Previously, cases with 30% burns were exceptionally challenging to save," Dr. Raja noted. "With skin donations, survival rates and recovery outcomes have markedly improved." He stressed the urgent necessity for more donors to sustain these life-saving efforts.
Simplified Donation Process and Statewide Significance
Dr. S. Aram, head of the department of plastic surgery, described skin donation as a straightforward process akin to cornea donation, requiring no live donor. "Anyone willing can donate skin after death. It is the optimal method to buy time for burn patients," he said. "Although alternatives like collagen exist, they are inferior to human skin."
Dr. L. Arul Sundaresh Kumar further noted that GRH, alongside Kilpauk Medical College Hospital in Chennai, stands among the few centers in Tamil Nadu offering advanced burn care through well-equipped facilities and dedicated skin banks.
Statistical Overview of Burn Injuries and Treatments
The hospital's data provides a clear picture of its critical role:
- Burn Injuries:
- 2023 — Surgeries: 222 | Deaths: 137
- 2024 — Surgeries: 805 | Deaths: 90
- 2025 — Surgeries: 1,401 | Deaths: 104
- Skin Bank Beneficiaries: 58+ Patients
- Cracker Blast Injuries:
- 2023 — Admissions: 67 | Major Surgeries: 60 | Minor Surgeries: 7
- 2024 — Admissions: 76 | Major Surgeries: 68 | Minor Surgeries: 8
- 2025 — Admissions: 88 | Major Surgeries: 75 | Minor Surgeries: 13
GRH Burns Ward Facilities:
- 12 ICU Beds
- 20 Regular Beds
- Exclusive Burns Theatre
- Outpatient Services
