RAWALPINDI, March 6: A skin bank will be set up at the proposed Institute of Plastic Surgery and Burn Unit of the Rawalpindi district headquarters hospital, said Prof of Surgery Dr Hamid Hassan.

He was speaking at a media briefing jointly organized by the DHQ Hospital and the district government by unveiling the Rs35.8 million plan for the Institute of Plastic Surgery and Burn here on Wednesday.

Prof Hassan said the burn cases occurred mostly in poor families and the rate was much higher in Pakistan because of high prevalence of poverty and absence of law and precautionary measures that could help curb burn accidents.

In Pakistan patients who receive 40 per cent or more burns have very slim chances of survival. It is almost impossible to do justice with the burns patient and accommodate their treatment in the ordinary health care system.

He said for the first time the concept of skin donation would be introduced and a skin bank was proposed to be set up at the institute.

The proposed institute, the fourth world recognized burn unit in Pakistan, will provide comprehensive burns management and plastic surgery services for the region and specialize in immediate care, post-management of burn cases, plastic surgery and rehabilitation of the patient.

Facilities proposed for the institute include 24-hour emergency service for burn cases as well as tele-consultation service. It will also extend complex plastic surgical reconstruction and hand salvage surgery.

Training facility for doctors and paramedics and services for primary prevention of burn injuries are also proposed.

Dr Zubair Hassan, DHQ Hospital medical superintendent, said the running cost of the institute would be very high keeping in view the nature of the work. He divulged that Zakat Foundation has pledged to provide additional grant once the institute becomes fully functional. The recurring expenses will be met through cosmetic surgeries and private rooms in the institute.

District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani speaking on the occasion pledged support for the project. He said the congestion on the road leading to DHQ would be reduced through improved traffic management.

He said being located in the heart of the city the institute would be easily accessible to the poor people.