In a bid to fight the deadly coronavirus, Lucknow’s KGMU hospital has established UP’s first-ever plasma bank. On Saturday, this bank was inaugurated by the Governor of UP in a digital event and now, this move will substantially aid the fighters who are battling this virus. Other states across India, like Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal and Punjab have also set up this facility.
Capacity to store 830 units
The plasma bank has been installed by the Transfusion Medicine Department of KGMU and it has a standing capacity to house 830 units of plasma. KGMU has planted 5 plasma extraction machines here and other top-notch provisions have also been put at place for seamless treatments of the patients.
The plasma therapy is aimed at providing a jump-start to a patient’s immunity by infusing a certain quantity of the blood plasma of a person who has already recovered from the disease. This therapy uses antibodies found in the blood of people who have recovered from the infection to treat infected patients. For this donation process, only 400-500 ml of plasma is drawn out from the eligible individual and it is a completely harmless method.
As of now, more than 40 citizens have donated their plasma after successfully recovering from this virus. The Vice Chancellor of KGMU has further stated that the other government and non-government hospitals can avail the stored plasma samples here.
A message to all our readers
During such testing times, we request all our readers to practise the medical directives issued by the health professionals and to follow the essential rules of social distancing for the greater good. Remember to wash and sanitise your hands frequently. Contact your nearest medical professional at the slightest sign of any of the symptoms.
To flatten the curve of this pandemic, do keep a watch on credible news sources and remember that as much as you will stay home now, the sooner you will be able to get back to the normalcy of your daily lives.
