Need a plasma donor? Call on police helpline

Ludhiana: A Covid-19 patient in need of plasma can approach Ludhiana Police on its helpline number to get a donor.
The Ludhiana Police on Thursday arranged a donor of AB+ blood group for a virus-infected patient.
Additional deputy commissioner of police (special branch) Rupinder Kaur Sra has been appointed as the nodal officer for this work.
Sra said, “People in need of plasma can contact at police control room number 7837018500. The number is available 24x7. As of now, we have arranged plasma for one patient. We have a list of 53 cops, who have recovered from the disease, willing to donate plasma.”
About the donation procedure, Sra said, “Only two things are required for a person to donate plasma: first, the blood group of the patient and the donor should be the same and secondly, the donor must have antibodies in his body. After a screening at hospital, doctors decide if a person is fit to give plasma.”
To date, over 200 cops have contracted the virus.
“Even after recovery, not all of them have antibodies in their bodies. Over 50 cops of Ludhiana commissionerate are willing to donate plasma. We have tied-up with cops of other districts too. The donor for the patient for whom we have arranged plasma is a Patiala cop. We contacted Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, and made arrangements,” she added.
With residents not coming forward to join the cause, the police plan to hold an awareness drive. “More people should come forward and help patients fighting Covid-19. Besides, people who want to donate plasma can also approach the police on this helpline number,” she said.