Mission statements

The primary aim of the department of dermatology provides outstanding dermatological care in a cost-effective manner to all patients in the Dermatology Clinic. We treat poor, destitute, lepers and other patients (like HIV patients) with the same compassion, care and empathy as we treat the affluent patients. These words translate into action in our General out patient department - which is one of the busiest in our hospital, where we tackle the toughest of all cases.

The dermatology department offers procedures and services both investigative and curative, pertaining to general dermatology, cosmetic dermatology and venereology. Comprehensive consultation and treatment is provided for both outpatients and in-patients covering all dermatological conditions including:

• General dermatology
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Cosmetology
• Leprosy

In addition to basic services like skin biopsies/excisions, scrapings and smears (fungal; AFB/ Tzanck smears; urethral smears, etc) and chemical cauterisation (with podophyllin), the department also offers other specialised services like:

• Radio- frequency Surgery
• Phototherapy
• Cryosurgery
• Vitiligo Surgery
• Acne Surgery
• Hair Disorders - investigations and surgery
• Nail Disorders - investigations and surgery
• Allergy and Patch Testing

Radiofrequency Surgery

The Dematology department employs the use of high frequency cutting current for ablation/cauterisation of various skin lesions. Common indications include:

• Viral warts
• Skin tags
• Seborrheic keratosis
• Milia, etc

Phototherapy

The main indications for phototherapy include:

• Psoriasis
• Vitiligo
• Extensive alopecia areata
• Lichen planus, etc.

Cryosurgery

The department utilises liquid nitrogen for cryosurgery, which is useful for a variety of benign and malignant skin conditions including:

• Warts
• Molluscum
• Naevi
• Acne (for both inflammatory and scars)
• Keloids
• Leukoplakia
• Actinic keratosis
• Basal cell carcinoma

Vitiligo Surgery

The department has started punch grafting and cosmetic tattooing for stable vitiligo lesions.

Chemical peeling

Simple procedures are conducted for treating acne, such as comedone extraction and peels - both cryo peels as well as chemical peels. These peels are also useful for the treatment of post-acne scarring and hyperpigmentation.

Glycolic acid peeling is also indicated for other conditions showing excessive pigmentation like melasma (pigmentation of the face usually seen in pregnant, perimenopausal females).

The department also uses subcision, punch excision and grafting for acne scars revision/facial resurfacing.

Nail disorders

Procedures for nail disorders include:

• Nail avulsions
• Nail matrix biopsies

Allergy and Patch testing

The department uses a full allergy test panel for the investigation of conditions like chronic urticaria.

Patch tests are indicated for the investigation of contact allergic dermatitis (e.g., cement dermatitis, hair dye dermatitis, footwear dermatitis, etc.)