Canadian skin banks ready to help New Zealand treat volcanic eruption victims
2019-12-13 from cbc.ca
Canadian Blood Services says tissue programs are prepared to send skin to New Zealand to treat the severely burned survivors of a volcanic eruption.
International tissue banks have mobilized to help New Zealand meet its need for an estimated 1.2 million square centimetres of skin to be grafted onto victims of Monday's eruption on White Island, which killed 16 people.
A chief medical officer said 15 people remained in burn units in New Zealand hospitals Friday, including 11 whose conditions are "very critical." Thirteen Australians who were burned have returned to their home country.
A spokesperson for Héma-Québec, which manages the province's tissue supply, said New Zealand officials contacted the tissue bank to ask if it was in a position to help supply skin grafts, but have yet to place an order.
"We've only received a call asking if we were able to lend a hand. We're able to do so, we will gladly do so if [that's] the decision down in New Zealand," said Laurent-Paul Ménard. "It wouldn't compromise our situation here in the province of Quebec."
The bank is prepared to send about 25,000 square centimetres of skin, which is roughly a quarter of its supply, said Ménard.
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