Covid-19: 2 just-turned adults youngest to donate plasma in Assam

GUWAHATI: Guwahati girl Aditi Bagaria and Silchar lad Rounak Roy, both aged 18, have become the youngest plasma donors in Assam.
Even after fulfilling the health condition requirements, 18 years is the minimum age to qualify for plasma donation according to ICMR norms. Officer on special duty to National Health Mission, Assam, Pomi Baruah, who is looking after the plasma drive in the state, confirmed that Aditi and Rounak have become the youngest plasma donors in Assam.
It was initially a painful experience for Aditi since she never did any blood donation, but after donating her plasma at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Monday, she felt that the pain was worth it.
“Doctors in GMCH really helped me by tolerating my tantrums at times. I have no words to thank the medical team in IIT Guwahati Covid Care Centre, where I was under medical supervision. Today it feels so great to be a plasma donor,” Aditi told TOI here on Tuesday.
It was on July 19 when she tested positive for Covid-19. “l wasn’t shocked with the reports because somewhere l knew l was infected and therefore l voluntarily went for the rapid test. Subsequently, I was shifted to Havells Covid Care Centre and then shifted to IIT Guwahati.
“Those were tough days and staying away from my younger brother who is just three was the hardest part. But the priceless support I received from my parents, family, friends and the medical team helped me recover,” said Aditi.
The other 18-year-old, Rounak, said he always wanted to donate blood since his childhood days, but was never allowed as he had not turned 18.
“The thought came to my mind when I turned 18 in June. However, in July, the entire family tested positive for Covid-19. However, we managed to safely recover,” he said.
Rounak said last week after he woke up, he saw 50 missed calls from one of his classmates. “I understood the urgency of the matter and came to know that his family too had tested positive and his uncle was in serious condition as he needs plasma from a donor with B-positive blood group. That moment I wished I was B-positive. But since my blood group is A-positive, I couldn’t help him. I tried contacting every person I know and also had spread out the information through social media. In the evening, I came to know that they had received the required plasma from a B-positive donor,” he said, calling the incident that made him realise how Covid patients are in deep need of plasma.
“So I decided to donate mine, as I have recovered from this virus. When my plasma can save two people's lives, so why shouldn't I?,” said Rounak, who donated plasma last Saturday at Silchar Medical College and Hospital.
Even after fulfilling the health condition requirements, 18 years is the minimum age to qualify for plasma donation according to ICMR norms. Officer on special duty to National Health Mission, Assam, Pomi Baruah, who is looking after the plasma drive in the state, confirmed that Aditi and Rounak have become the youngest plasma donors in Assam.
It was initially a painful experience for Aditi since she never did any blood donation, but after donating her plasma at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Monday, she felt that the pain was worth it. “Doctors in GMCH really helped me by tolerating my tantrums at times. I have no words to thank the medical team in IIT Guwahati Covid Care Centre, where I was under medical supervision. Today it feels so great to be a plasma donor,” Aditi told TOI here on Tuesday.
It was on July 19 when she tested positive for Covid-19. “l wasn’t shocked with the reports because somewhere l knew l was infected and therefore l voluntarily went for the rapid test. Subsequently, I was shifted to Havells Covid Care Centre and then shifted to IIT Guwahati.
“Those were tough days and staying away from my younger brother who is just three was the hardest part. But the priceless support I received from my parents, family, friends and the medical team helped me recover,” said Aditi.
The other 18-year-old, Rounak, said he always wanted to donate blood since his childhood days, but was never allowed as he had not turned 18.
“The thought came to my mind when I turned 18 in June. However, in July, the entire family tested positive for Covid-19. However, we managed to safely recover,” he said.
Rounak said last week after he woke up, he saw 50 missed calls from one of his classmates. “I understood the urgency of the matter and came to know that his family too had tested positive and his uncle was in serious condition as he needs plasma from a donor with B-positive blood group. That moment I wished I was B-positive. But since my blood group is A-positive, I couldn’t help him. I tried contacting every person I know and also had spread out the information through social media. In the evening, I came to know that they had received the required plasma from a B-positive donor,” he said, calling the incident that made him realise how Covid patients are in deep need of plasma.
“So I decided to donate mine, as I have recovered from this virus. When my plasma can save two people's lives, so why shouldn't I?,” said Rounak, who donated plasma last Saturday at Silchar Medical College and Hospital.