In an inspiring act of generosity that overcame significant logistical hurdles, the skin of a 91-year-old woman was successfully donated and collected from her residence in Thiruvananthapuram. This landmark procedure has provided a vital resource for Kerala's first-ever skin bank, offering new hope for severe burn and accident victims across the state.
A Final Wish Fulfilled Against Odds
Anandavalli Ammal, mother of Dr. Eeshwar H.V., the head of the neurosurgery department at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, passed away on Sunday with a clear wish: to donate her organs after death. While her advanced age prevented the donation of other vital organs, and circumstances made it impossible to transport her body to a hospital, her family and a dedicated medical team were determined to honor her commitment to giving.
The team from the skin bank at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College rose to the challenge. They transported advanced equipment to her home and performed the meticulous, four-hour-long skin collection procedure on-site. This compassionate effort ensured that Ammal's final altruistic desire was respected, turning a moment of personal loss into a profound gift for others.
The Pioneering Skin Bank: A Rs 6.75 Crore Lifeline
This donation represents only the second instance of skin received by the groundbreaking skin bank, which was established alongside a new burns unit at a cost of Rs 6.75 crore. As the first facility of its kind in Kerala, it represents a major advancement in the state's medical treatment capabilities for critical injuries.
The process following donation is highly specialized. The skin is preserved in a special temperature-controlled environment. It then undergoes a three-week chemical processing phase before it is ready to be grafted onto patients through advanced plastic surgery techniques. This donated skin acts as a biological dressing that is crucial for survival and recovery; it provides a protective layer, drastically reduces the risk of infection and pain, and helps minimize life-threatening fluid and electrolyte loss in patients who have lost large areas of their own skin.
Team Effort and Future Expansion
The successful home collection was made possible by a dedicated team including Dr. Premlal, Dr. Abha, Dr. Anupama, Dr. Arsh, Dr. Lisha, and nursing officers Ashwathi and Sheena Babu. Their work underscores the practical and compassionate lengths to which medical professionals will go to facilitate organ and tissue donation.
Meanwhile, the processing of the skin bank's first donated sample is currently ongoing. Looking ahead, steps are already underway to establish a second skin bank at Kottayam Medical College, which will further expand this critical service and make life-saving treatments more accessible to people across Kerala.
This story of Anandavalli Ammal's donation is more than a news item; it is a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of giving, the importance of modern medical infrastructure, and the relentless effort of healthcare workers to save and improve lives against all practical difficulties.
