Boosting Mumbai’s Burns Care Infrastructure
Mumbai’s burns care facilities are set to improve as the BMC-run KEM Hospital renovates its burns ward, adding three intensive care beds. Despite frequent fire incidents in Mumbai and its surrounding areas, the city has only a handful of burns ICUs. The KEM burns ICU will be the fifth such facility in the city.
Existing Burns ICUs in Mumbai
Currently, Sion Hospital, Kasturba Hospital (Saat Raasta), National Burns Centre (Airoli), and Masina Hospital (Byculla) operate burns ICUs. The addition of KEM’s upgraded unit will enhance critical care capacity for burn victims.
Renovation to Include Adult Male Patients
As reported by TOI, the renovated KEM burns ward, set for completion in four months, will now accommodate adult male patients. “We secured funding from a private donor for this renovation,” said Dr. Sangeeta Ravat, Dean of KEM Hospital.
Previously, the 12-bed burns ward only admitted female and pediatric patients. The new layout will create space for adult male patients and feature three glass cabin ICUs, according to Dr. Vinita Puri, Head of Plastic Surgery, who oversees the burns ward.
Specialized Infrastructure for Burns Management
Burns treatment requires dedicated infrastructure and a high nurse-to-patient ratio. At the 50-bed National Burns Centre, which collaborates with airport and civic authorities for disaster response, one nurse cares for two patients.
“We are the only burns center in the city with a **skin bank, 24 ICU beds, and dedicated critical care nurses,” said Dr. S. Keswani, Medical Director of the National Burns Centre.
Significant Progress in Burns Care Over Two Decades
Dr. Keswani highlighted that burns care in Mumbai has significantly improved over the past 20 years. “Patients with minor burns can be treated at nursing homes, while medical school burns units manage moderate cases. Only patients with burns covering 30% or more of their body require admission to specialized centers like ours,” he explained.
With KEM Hospital’s upgraded burns ward, Mumbai takes another step toward strengthening its burns care infrastructure and providing better critical care for burn victims.