Aam Aadmi Party’s MLA Atishi Marlena Recovers From COVID-19, Donates Plasma To Help Other Critically Infected

New Delhi: AAP leader Atishi Marlena, who was tested positive for COVID-19 last month, took to twitter to share that she was eligible to donate her plasma to help critically ill coronavirus patients in the national capital. The Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) also added that she will be donating plasma at Delhi government’s plasma bank in Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) on Monday (20 July).

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Happy to share that I’m now eligible for donating plasma, as per medical protocols. I will be donating plasma at Delhi Govt’s plasma bank in ILBS today, Ms Marlena wrote in her tweet.

AAP’s spokesperson Akshay Marathe who also recovered from COVID-19, joined Ms Marlena in donating the plasma. Mr. Marathe shared picture of the same on Twitter, and praised how ‘hassle free the entire process is’, he wrote,

Delightful experience today donating plasma at Delhi govt’s plasma bank at the ILBS Hospital with @AtishiAAP. One can’t imagine just how hassle-free the entire process is. Happy to be able to contribute to our CM @ArvindKejriwal ji’s mission to save as many as lives as possible.

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After donating plasma, Ms Marlena told the reporters in Delhi that she wants to encourage all the recovered COVID-19 patients to donate their blood plasma to save lives of those who are currently suffering from the infection.

Until we have a vaccine, we have to combat COVID-19 in this way. So, I want to appeal to all recovered patients to come and donate their blood plasma in ILBS to save other’s lives. In life, you have very few opportunities to save lives and people should come to donate their blood plasma to save other’s lives, she said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal lauded Ms Marlena’s contribution in the national capital’s fight against COVID-19 as he responded with ‘Very Good, Atishi!’ on her tweet.

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According to medical experts, bodies of people who recover from coronavirus produce an anti-body or plasma in the blood to help the person fight against coronavirus. If some of this anti-body is given to a critical patient, then the plasma could help in the person’s recovery.

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.