Pakistan Launches First Skin Bank at PIMS to Advance Burn Treatment

Islamabad has taken a major step forward in burn treatment with the launch of Pakistan’s first skin bank at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). The facility, established in collaboration with Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), will allow doctors to culture skin in a lab and use it for grafting, offering patients a safer and more effective option than traditional methods.

Until now, burn victims have relied on grafts taken from other healthy parts of their own bodies, often causing additional pain and complications. With the new skin bank, specialists will be able to culture skin samples, store them for up to five years, and provide grafts when needed.

A New Era in Skin Burn Treatment

Dr. Syed Mujahid Gilani, Head of the Burn Intensive Care Unit at PIMS, explained that the skin bank will function much like a blood bank, delivering life-saving grafts for patients with severe burns. At SZABMU’s Molecular Biology Department, a small tissue sample, usually two centimeters, will be cultured from stabilized patients about a week after injury. Once ready, the lab-grown skin will be grafted onto burn wounds.

“Patients with 80 to 100 percent burns require urgent grafts to heal quickly. For years, we lacked access to cultured skin. Now, preparations are complete, and once the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) approves, we will begin applying it,” Dr. Gilani said.

He clarified that although often referred to as “synthetic skin,” the graft still requires donor tissue and must match the patient’s blood group. Cultured skin, however, will be easier to access and more cost-effective. Traditional burn dressings cost between Rs. 55,000 and Rs. 150,000, while cultured skin will lower expenses and reduce the need for multiple dressings.

Government and Expert Support

Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the new Stem Cell and Skin Bank during a ceremony titled “From Trauma to Recovery: Elevating Burn Treatment Standards.” He assured full government backing and promised that Drap would issue the necessary license soon. “We are committed to delivering immediate and quality care to burn patients across Pakistan,” the minister said.

International burn expert Dr. Nikki Allorto from South Africa urged Pakistan to adopt global treatment standards and ensure proper training for medical staff. Professor Dr. Abdul Khaliq also hailed the initiative as a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s healthcare system.

The event was attended by senior medical leaders, including SZABMU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Tanvir Khaliq, PIMS Executive Director Professor Rana Imran Sikandar, and Professor Dr. S.H. Waqar, who praised the project as a transformative step for patient care.