Delhi's first plasma bank operational; Know how it would work-

New Delhi, July 02: Delhi's first plasma bank to help treat novel coronavirus started functioning on Thursday, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying that COVID-19 patients can donate their plasma 14 days after recovery. Addressing an online media briefing, the chief minister issued numbers - 1031 and 8800007722 where people can contact for donation of plasma to save the lives of COVID-19 patients.

 

The government has set up the plasma bank at the state-run Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences with a hope that the COVID-19 deaths will decrease due to plasma therapy. "Those aged between 18 and 60 and weighing not less than 50 kg can donate their plasma for COVID-19 patients", he added.

Plasma therapy involves taking antibodies from the blood of a person who has recovered from COVID-19 and transfusing those into a coronavirus infected patient to help kick-start the immune system to fight the infection. Like in blood banks, where blood is extracted and stored for those who might be in need, the idea is to extract and store plasma from people who have recovered from Covid-19 and give it to someone suffering from the disease. The CM said it became operational today and is likely one of its kind in the country so far.

 

Senior government officials tracking the trial said that in a controlled study conducted on 29 patients at Lok Nayak Hospital, administration of the therapy was found to be safe. The results, officials said, have also been shared with ICMR. While 14 patients were administered convalescent plasma (CP), the others were administered fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Clinical parameters were measured after 48 hours and 7 days.