Türkiye launches its first skin bank and tissue lab to boost burn care
Adana-based facility to support emergency treatment, regenerative medicine, and national health resilience
ADANA, Türkiye (MNTV) — The Turkish Ministry of Health has officially opened the country’s first skin bank and tissue laboratory at Adana City Training and Research Hospital, marking a major milestone in Türkiye’s efforts to enhance advanced burn care and emergency medical preparedness.
The state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide critical support for patients suffering from severe burn injuries, offering both emergency skin grafts and cutting-edge regenerative tissue solutions.
It is the first of its kind in Türkiye and places the country alongside a select group of nations—including the United States, China, Singapore, Israel, and several European countries—that operate such specialized centers.
Authorities have highlighted the strategic importance of the facility, particularly in contexts such as war, natural disasters, and large-scale accidents, where mass-casualty events often result in critical burn injuries requiring immediate intervention.
Central to the center’s operations is the preservation of donated human skin, which is processed under sterile conditions and stored for two to five years.
This stored skin can be used as a temporary graft to stabilize patients with extensive burns, helping reduce mortality and buying vital time for further treatment.
Dr. Koray Daş, who leads the burn unit at the hospital, emphasized the facility’s life-saving role.
“In cases where patients have lost large areas of skin, their chances of survival drop dramatically. The ability to quickly apply a temporary skin graft can mean the difference between life and death,” he said.
In addition to temporary grafting, the facility houses an integrated tissue engineering lab where clinicians can grow new skin using the patient’s own cells.
This allows for the development of personalized, biologically compatible grafts within a one- to two-month window, during which the temporary graft remains effective.
“The time we gain through temporary skin application is critical,” Dr. Daş added. “It allows us to culture skin tissue tailored to the patient, improving outcomes even in burn cases affecting up to 90% of the body.”
Donated skin is sourced primarily from surplus tissue removed during cosmetic procedures and from organ donors who have explicitly consented to skin donation.
The tissue is tested for suitability and processed according to international standards. Only a thin layer is harvested, ensuring no disfigurement to the donor’s body.
“Unlike organs, skin doesn’t need to be transplanted immediately. It can be preserved for years, making it an invaluable resource in emergencies,” said Dr. Daş.
In addition to its clinical role, the center will serve as a hub for scientific research and innovation in tissue regeneration, contributing to Türkiye’s growing capabilities in biomedical sciences.
Officials noted that establishing a national reserve of preserved skin enhances Türkiye’s readiness for future health crises, including disasters, pandemics, or wartime injuries.
The launch of this facility represents a significant step toward building a more resilient and responsive health care infrastructure.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
