September 10, 2025

In Tamil Nadu, a silent revolution is happening! Skin and bone donations from deceased donors are steadily gaining ground, slowly saving lives. Data from the Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (Transtan) reveals a promising upward trend over the last few years. The skin donations moved from 16 in 2022 to 23 in 2023. Then, a big jump happened in 2024 with 77 donations, and already 36 are recorded in 2025. Bone donations, too, climbed from 50 in 2022 to 57 in 2023, then soared to 111 in 2024, with 80 donations so far in 2025. Why are these donations so crucial? P. Nellaiappar, retired professor and head of the Department of Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Government Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) Hospital, reveals the truth. “Skin is harvested from the chest and thighs and dressed completely. Donated skin can be preserved at the skin bank — KMC has a full-fledged bank — for up to five years. It is beneficial for patients who suffer massive burns. If a patient suffers from 40% burns, the donated skin will be used as dressing. We have artificial materials but none are as effective as skin,” he explained. He also highlighted how donated skin is lifesaving between the third and eighth day after a burn injury. But why the hesitation? B. Pasupathy, professor of Orthopedics at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, points to a common fear. “One of the main reasons for families hesitating to donate the bones of a brain dead donor is fear of disfigurement. But there is no need for this fear as the retrieved bone segments are replaced with locally available materials. Hence, the shape is rebuilt. We retrieve small bones such as fibulas, and if people are willing to donate major bones, it will be of great benefit,” he said. These donated bones are kept safe in bone banks and help patients who have lost bone due to accidents, tumours, or birth defects. N. Gopalakrishnan, member secretary, Transtan, stressed, “We must be able to clearly explain to families/relatives of patients (who were declared brain dead) and dispel myths surrounding skin and bone donations such as disfigurement. The acceptance rate for skin and bone donations is increasing and there is still great potential to be explored.” Tamil Nadu is making strides in skin and bone donations, pushing back fears and saving precious lives. But the journey is far from over — more awareness is the key to unlocking even greater gifts of life from donors to those in need.

Read More at Thehindu →

Tags: Skin donation, Bone donation, Tamil nadu, Transplant, Awareness, Burn patients,