Skin Bank

Among some of the most complex wounds sustained in war are burns – cellular technology aims to change that. As part of the “Skin bank” social project, wounded soldiers from the ATO will be treated using the technology. The Kyiv Burn Center in conjunction with the Ukrainian volunteers’ center “People’s Project” and the Ilaya medical clinic, launched the project with the support and patronage of the First Lady on January 23.

During a tour, Marina Proroshenko, founder of the “Skin bank” Oleksiy Shershnev, head doctor of the Kyiv City Burn Center Anatolyі Voronin and coordinators from the “People’s Project” discussed the priorities of the project and goals of the collaboration.

The “Skin bank” project was created at the end of last year. Its goal is to not only treat wounded soldiers who fought in the ATO but also for civilians caught in the cross fire. The project uses donor cell material for rapid and quality skin regeneration after burns. According to June statistics more than 250 Ukrainian military received burns of moderate to severe degrees. Annually the center also recieves and treats about 100 civilian patients with various degrees of burns.

The initial reserve of the skin bank will be 2.4 billion cells which can be used to restore 24 m² of skin in a short period – about 25 people with burns to 40% of their body. The treatment of patients takes place in the Kyiv Burn Center under the supervision of the head doctor and experienced combustiologist Anatolyi Voronin. Preparation and storage of the cellular material is conducted and provided by the innovative Ilaya medical clinic.

Maryna Poroshenko mentioned that this is a Ukrainian innovation and we should be proud of it. Our scientists and doctors can implement this technology at the highest level. She said she supported this project of targeted help because it allowed burns victims a more rapid return to normal life and better quality of life.