Earlier this month, the National Burn and Reconstructive Surgery Center in Paraguay (CENQUER) — the country’s only public burn care center — received an important donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The contribution includes two complete dermatome kits which contain specialized tools for collecting skin grafts to enhance reconstructive surgeries, particularly for pediatric patients. This equipment will allow the hospital to increase both the number and quality of grafts, reducing wait times and minimizing damage to graft donor sites.
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Center director Dr. Saúl Saputovich expressed gratitude for the donation. He said that before receiving this equipment, the hospital had only a partially functional dermatome, which limited the doctors' ability to perform the more than 10 daily surgeries required. With these new tools, the hospital can now perform more precise and less-invasive skin grafts, improving patient recovery. Dr. Saputovich said the electric dermatome will also reduce graft collection time and enhance aesthetic outcomes, especially in pediatric cases.
The donation includes a 42 mm-wide dermatome for children and an 80 mm-wide unit for adults. Previously, the center relied on a single manual scalpel, which posed a higher risk of graft complications.
The National Burn and Reconstructive Surgery Center, a referral hospital, treats patients with severe burns and provides comprehensive rehabilitation, from initial care through reconstructive surgeries and long-term follow-up. The hospital performs over 1,500 major surgeries each year, primarily treating children from low-income families.
Diego Podrozo, a local Latter-day Saint leader in Asunción, expressed the Church’s commitment to work alongside the Ministry of Health and CENQUER. Deputy Minister of Health Santiago García thanked the Church for its support, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between medical staff and institutions to improve care for burn patients.