Ranchi: Plasma collection to begin on Tuesday

RANCHI: The largest hospital in the state, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims), is all set to start collection of plasma from those who have recovered from Covid-19. The plasma bank will be inaugurated by chief minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday afternoon.
Talking to TOI, an associate professor of blood bank and transfusion medicine, Dr Sushma, said: “As part of our preparations to start the plasma bank at Rims, we conducted a trial run and collected plasma from a normal donor so that we can check the equipment. The trial was successful.”
The Rims administration has also constituted a team of six doctors from various departments led by medical superintendent Dr Vivek Kashyap, so that the plasma collection centre can operate smoothly and there are no problems pertaining to coordination.
“I along with two doctors each from medicine department, preventive and social medicine along with a critical care expert are part of the team that has been formed to look after the operations of the plasma bank,” Dr Sushma said.
Notably, the Rims administration was directed by the state health department to start a plasma bank around a fortnight ago. After receiving the direction, Rims requisitioned an Apheresis machine and IgG kits that are used for plasma collection.
On being asked about the availability of equipment at Rims blood bank, medical superintendent Dr Kashyap said: “We will receive IgG kits by Monday evening and we have an Apheresis machine that is used for plasma and platelet collection. If the number of donors increases, we will get another machine.”