Vishwajit appeals for plasma donation

Panaji: The Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, in a short video released on Sunday has appealed to those who have been cured of COVID 19 to come forward and help the government save lives by donating their blood plasma.

Rane stated that apheresis machine is being installed at the Goa Medical College and Hospital,  Bambolim and  a plasma bank is being launched to treat COVID patients with plasma therapy, following all the safety protocols.

An initiative by the Health Ministry, government of Goa has launched plasma banking for plasma therapy with strict protocols. The decision to start plasma therapy was taken in view of the rising fatalities in the state due to COVID vis-a-vis recommendations made by the expert committee at the GMC.

Plasma is the clear straw-coloured liquid portion of blood that remains after the red blood cells, while blood cells, platelets and other cellular components are removed. It is the single largest component of human blood comprising about 55 per cent, and contains water, salt, enzymes, antibodies and proteins.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a person who has fully recovered from COVID infection for at least two weeks can donate plasma. The patient must not have any symptoms of COVID infection for at least 14 days.

The donor should have a prior verified diagnosis of COVID but is now symptom-free and fully recovered from the disease and he should be above 17 years, and over 50 kgs in weight, hemoglobin level should be more than 8gm/dl besides there should be adequate presence of antibodies, but expecting mothers, and those with uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, chronic kidney/ heart /lung or liver disease and cancer survivors are excluded.

For plasma donation appointment, one may contact Dr Preeti on +917875181284 or Sister Marceline on + 919822791732. All wanting to donate plasma will be screened for CPT as per the current protocols of the blood bank. Vehicle may be arranged for pick up and drop.

Meanwhile, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, also urged all the patients who have been cured of COVID-19 to step ahead and donate plasma to save the lives of others who are infected by the virus.

In a press statement issued here, Almeida  states that “in support of state government’s initiative to create awareness on donation of plasma for the COVID-19 patients, I would like to request all the COVID-19 survivors to donate plasma in order to save the lives of those infected with the virus. The COVID-19 survivors are rich in antibodies, which would help to treat the critically ill patients.”

Vasco MLA further adds that “patients who have recovered completely from the illness and those who show no symptoms at all after 14 days from the recovery are eligible to donate their plasma.”

“I would appreciate, if any person, willing to take up the charge and support the initiative in saving lives of others. It is your chance to help the people to fight against the dreaded disease and be the savior,”  the release quotes Almeida as saying.