‘Plasma donation can curb novel coronavirus deaths’

Principal Correspondent :

Less people turning up for plasma donation

On one hand the deaths due to novel coronavirus are increasing in Nagpur and on the other hand less number of people are turning up to donate plasma. Though people who dyed of this dreaded virus were co-morbid, their early departure could have been prevented had recovered persons came out in large numbers to donate plasma.

The plasma of one person recovered from novel coronavirus infection, can save lives of two infected persons. Unfortunately out of fear, recovered people are not coming forward. Recently Dr Nitin Raut, Guardian Minister of Nagpur district too has appealed people to donate the plasma. Mayor Sandip Joshi and Municipal Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe too have urged people for the voluntary donation. Dr Sanjeev Kumar, Divisional Commissioner who himself is a medical professional too feel the donation of plasma should be increased.

“The immunity created after persons test negative gives rise to antibodies, smaller part of which can provide lease of new life to others who are on the verge of dying. The blood you donate never gets depleted. Our body prepares that much quantity within 24 hours,” explained Dr Sajal Mitra, Dean, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) After 14 days of recovery of any patient, he or she becomes fit to donate blood. When plasma is taken out, RBC will go into the body. Our body has 10% blood surplus. For example if 750 ml blood is excess in our body, and 400 ml is taken out, it means still 250 ml blood remains excess. The blood gets recovered back within 3 to 5 days.

Patient’s blood will not get reduced. World over no problem was detected with the donor,” informed Dr Avinash Wase, President of Vidarbha Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists (VAPM). Maharashtra Government has introduced plasma therapy for the patients tested positive for coronavirus going through serious illness. This plasma therapy requires blood from the people who became corona-free. People with a fear of losing plasma showing less interest in donating the same. In donation nobody loses blood or antibody. Instead the donor becomes the giver.

People are afraid of two things-- one they may get infected if they donate the blood. Secondly, the quantity of plasma they have may get reduced if they donate blood. With reduction in quantity of plasma in the body, they become vulnerable to coronavirus. Dr Ajay Keoliya, Dean, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH) said, “There is no chance of infection. In the wake of Covid 19 situation, every hospital is taking utmost case. Antibodies are there and immunity is working. Like blood donation where we lose the blood but quantity doesn’t get reduced similarly if plasma is donated, it doesn’t get decreased.”