Kerala: Soon, plasma banks in all medical colleges

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health minister KK Shailaja said a decision has been taken to set up plasma banks in all government medical college hospitals to help critical patients with Covid convalescent plasma therapy. “The state experimented with plasma therapy on patients and the success rate is 90%. Hence it has been decided to setup plasma banks in all MCHs so that the therapy can be done in all these hospitals,” she said.
The first plasma bank was set up at Manjeri MCH. Already, 28 people who have recovered, have donated their plasma to this bank and 200 others have expressed their desire to donate plasma. Till date, four patients were subjected to plasma therapy and it became successful in three cases. Two such cases were done at Manjeri MCH and one each at Thrissur and Alappuzha MCHs.
The minister said plasma banks are being set up based on ICMR guidelines. Respective medical boards, set up in each district, are finalizing the need for plasma therapy on Covid patients.
Plasma required for the therapy is sourced from recovered patients. Thy should have tested negative twice to determine that they are have totally recovered. Such person can donate plasma from 14 days to four months after the last negative result.
At present, health department has decided to provide plasma therapy to patients who fall under category-II: Those with severe respiratory problems, low-level of oxygen, pneumonia and are in critical condition.
All transfusion medicine departments of MCHs have been asked to take necessary steps to set up plasma bank immediately. The decision comes following the increase in patient load and more cases of people with severe complications.