FIRST INTEGRATED CENTRE FOR BURN-CARE IN KERALA | Baby Memorial Hospital

Mr. Bharat Joshi, British Deputy High Commissioner Chennai inaugurated Baby Memorial Hospital’s new Integrated Burn-Care Centre, the first of its kind in Kerala for the comprehensive management of major burn injuries.

BMH’s new Burns Centre is managed by a dedicated team of plastic surgeons, critical-care specialists, emergency physicians and specially-trained staffs. This specialised team will look after burn patients from the point of injury till their post-hospital rehabilitation. The unit comprises a dedicated 6-bed ICU, an Operation Theatre designated for burn injury and 2 isolation rooms. BMH is renowned for its critical care expertise and the new unit will greatly increase that expertise in saving lives of patients with severe burn injuries.

BMH’s Chairman & Managing Director Dr K G Alexander dedicated the new Burn-Care Centre to the people of Malabar: “Burns are one of the most devastating forms of trauma and require immediate, specialist care to minimise infection and mortality. I’m delighted that we at BMH were able to launch the first integrated burns unit in Kerala. There are many plastic surgeons across Kerala who are interested in burns treatment but the lack of infrastructure has hampered them. I’m sure that with more such specialist centres coming up in the future, we will be able to provide the most advanced, innovative treatment for all degrees of burns.”

Speaking at the event Mr Rudy Fernandez, Head, Public Affairs, British Deputy High Commission Chennai said: “I congratulate BMH’s Chairman and his team. Through this new investment BMH is showing the way by reaching out to burn survivors who need specialist care. I hope that other private healthcare groups will consider the fine example that BMH has set. This launch reinforces the message of a new UK-backed initiative to develop holistic support for women survivors of burn violence in India.”

British Deputy High Commissioner, Chennai Mr Bharat Joshi said: “Sadly, the majority of burn survivors are women. Their vulnerabilities are unique because of psycho-social stigma they face from family, friends and employers. So I’m proud that my team has partnered with Chennai-based NGO, PCVC to build understanding of burn-care and facilitate state and national-level knowledge-sharing and policy discussion to improve the care available to victims of burn violence.”

Dr. M K Muneer Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, Dr. V G Pradeep, President, Indian Medical Association-Kerala also spoke. Dr. John Oommen, Sr. Consultant Plastic Surgeon, BMH delivered the introduction and Dr. Soman Jacob, CEO, BMH offered the vote of thanks.