Highlights
- In Odisha, first plasma bank was set-up at SCB Medical College and Hospital
- Second plasma bank has been set-up at the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar
- Odisha government plans to launch three more plasma banks
New Delhi: “Plasma donation was started as a government initiative; I am sure that now with the participation of more and more people, this will be a community driven people’s movement”, said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday (July 28) while inaugurating second plasma bank in the state and a web portal for donors. In an effort to ensure nobody in the state is deprived of the latest medical technology and treatment including plasma therapy, a plasma bank has been set-up at the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar.
Also Read: India’s Second Worst-Hit State By Coronavirus Pandemic, Tamil Nadu Launches A Plasma Bank
The Coronavirus pandemic is intensifying its grip with thousands of new cases being added everyday. The unavailability of a vaccine and treatment against the Novel Coronavirus is making matters worse. Under such a situation, plasma therapy which involves transfusion of antibodies (proteins that develop in people who have recovered from coronavirus infection) into a critically-ill COVID-19 patient has yielded encouraging results in saving lives.
On July 15, Odisha got the first plasma bank, established at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Talking about the same, CM Patnaik said,
Just about a fortnight ago plasma therapy was introduced in our state and the preliminary results of this treatment have been very encouraging. In two weeks’ time, 23 COVID survivors have donated plasma. This has given us the confidence to expand the service to other parts of the state by adding more plasma centres across the state.
The Chief Minister also informed that in the coming weeks, the state will get three more plasma banks at IGH Rourkela, VIMSAE Burla and MKCG Hospital Berhampur. The third plasma bank is expected to be launched on July 29.
Chief Minister Patnaik also launched a web portal to facilitate plasma donation where recovered patients can register themselves to donate plasma to save lives.
Also Read: Odisha Government Issues Guidelines For Disposal Of Bodies Of COVID-19 Patients
Mr Patnaik informed that plasma will be used to treat serious COVID-19 patients and said,
No one in the state would be deprived of access to the latest medical facilities. The state government is committed to providing the best medical care and treatment to the people of the state.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Patnaik thanked doctors and paramedics for making plasma therapy in the state successful. He also lauded the personnel of police, fire service and disaster response force personnel for voluntarily plasma donation.
What Is Plasma Therapy And How Does It Work?
Plasma therapy is based on the principle that the blood of a recovered patient is rich in antibodies needed to combat COVID-19. Antibodies are Y shaped proteins produced by a human body and used by the immune system to identify and neutralise foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. These antibodies are expected to help critical patients recover.
The procedure of donating plasma and transfusing it into someone’s body is similar to blood transfusion. Plasma from a patient who has recovered from coronavirus infection is taken out and infused Intravenously (IV).
Who Can Donate Plasma?
Anyone who falls in the age group of 18-60 years; has body weight above 55 Kilograms; has no comorbidities; must have recovered from COVID-19 disease with complete resolution of symptoms and has got at least one negative lab test within 28 days before donation.
Impact Of Coronavirus In Odisha
With close to 30,000 COVID-19 cases, Odisha accounts for 1.9 per cent of COVID-19 cases in India. Of the total, over 18,000 patients have recovered from the contagious disease and 159 deaths due to COVID have been reported. In the past one week, the state has started to report over 1,000 fresh cases daily. According to the official data, Ganjam district has the highest case load (close to 10,000 cases).
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.
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