Development of Tissue Banks in Developing Nations: A Journey From Past to Future

Abstract

Tissue banks are a relatively new concept in the emerging world. This review aims to comprehensively analyze the challenges and solutions for establishing tissue banks in developing nations. The burden of burns and road traffic accidents in the developing nations is disproportionately higher than in developed countries and so are the mortality rates associated with them. There is an unmet need for more tissue banks to counteract these problems. This was obvious from the historical aspect, with the era of tissue transplant emerging 3 decades later in developing nations versus developed nations and with many regions that have still not yet initiated tissue transplantation. The challenges ahead involve a lack of infrastructure, a lack of awareness, and many legal and ethical issues. A multidisciplinary team effort, even despite a lack of resources, is the mainstay of progress in tissue banks in resource-limited regions. The potential solutions to overcome this problem include simplified and applicable legislations, the development of continuous and long-term awareness programs, and integrated and harmonious efforts from all regions of the world. We hope that this review will help transplant authorities throughout the world to understand this problem statement and the need for timely action for concerting the path to successful tissue banking in emerging nations.