GMC Kozhikode to get 30-bedded burn unit soon

Kozhikode: To provide dedicated quality care to burn-injury patients, the Kerala government has decided to open a 30-bedded full-fledged burn unit at the Government Medical College Hospital (GMC) Kozhikode soon. 

The construction of the unit will take place in a phased manner in which an amount of Rs. 3.46 crore has been sanctioned for the first phase of construction. 

In order to build the unit, 60% of the funds will be sanctioned by the Center, and the remaining 40% will be contributed by the State. 

The project has already been approved by a Central team who visited the hospital and inspected the site on Monday. Therefore, the construction of the first phase of the project is scheduled to begin soon. 

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The facility will have an intensive care unit (ICU) fully dedicated to burns, an operation theatre, wards for male and female patients, and a post-operative section and a physiotherapy ward, reports TH.

Under the National Programme for Prevention and Management of Burn Injuries of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the facility will help reduce incidence, mortality, morbidity and disability due to Burn Injuries. 

The objective of the programme is to improve awareness among the general masses and vulnerable groups, especially women, children, and industrial and hazardous occupational workers. The plan is to set up infrastructure and network for behaviour change communication, burns management, and rehabilitation interventions.

As many as 70 government medical college hospitals and 25 district hospitals across the country will have dedicated burns care services and skilled manpower. It also aims to improve awareness among people and vulnerable groups such as women, children, and industrial and hazardous occupational workers.

Burn injuries are under-appreciated injuries that are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Burn injuries, particularly severe burns, are accompanied by an immune and inflammatory response, metabolic changes and distributive shock that can be challenging to manage and can lead to multiple organ failure. Therefore, more wards are required to be set up at the state to minimise the risk by providing immediate treatment in emergencies.

The burn unit will be constructed at the existing plastic surgery ward at the hospital. The plastic surgery ward will be modified to set up the burns care unit.

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