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First integrated centre for burn-care in Kerala

Baby Memorial Hospital is renowned for critical care expertise and the new unit will increase that expertise in saving lives of patients with burn injuries.

British Deputy High Commissioner Chennai Bharat Joshi inaugurated Baby Memorial Hospital’s (BMH) new Integrated Burn-Care Centre, the first of its kind in Kerala for the comprehensive management of major burn injuries, 23 November 2016.

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 intensive care unit, 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.

Dr K G Alexander, BMH’s Chairman and Managing Director 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, Rudy Fernandez, Head of 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. Today’s 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, 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 non-governmental organization (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 and A Pradeepkumar, Members of the Kerala Legislative Assembly and Dr V G Pradeep, President, Indian Medical Association-Kerala also spoke. Dr John Oommen, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, BMH delivered the introduction and Dr Soman Jacob, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), BMH offered the vote of thanks.

Further information

Visit Baby Memorial Hospital’s website for more information.

For queries, please email Kamal K or call on +91 9947288086.

The new initiative to develop holistic support women survivors of burn violence, backed by the British Deputy High Commission Chennai and led by Chennai-based NGO PCVC will see state-level research and discussion in four target states – New Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana – followed by national-level discussion in New Delhi. It is aimed at building existing understanding of burn incidence, reporting, recording and medical and post-medical management, including the need for psycho-social empowerment. It will also inform a more holistic support system for women survivors.

For media queries, please contact:

Rudy Fernandez
British Deputy High Commission Chennai
Mob: +91-9840340282

Mail to: Rudy Fernandez

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Published 23 November 2016