On Tuesday, Punjab’s first plasma bank for the coronavirus patients was inaugurated at Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala to ease access to plasma.
Medical Education and Research Minister O P Soni, who participated in the inauguration of plasma bank through video conference, said that it was a big achievement for the state to have its own Plasma Bank with a facility of two machines for the purpose.
What is a plasma bank? Why was it set up?
A plasma bank functions like a blood bank, and has been created specifically for those who are suffering from Covid-19, and have been advised the therapy by doctors.
In plasma therapy, the antibody rich plasma from a recovered patient is extracted and administered to a patient. The trials are trying to find out if the antibodies can help patients recover.
Who can donate?
Dr RPS Sibia, in charge, Medicine Department, explained that a healthy person, who was symptomatic of coronavirus, could donate plasma—after 28 days of the recovery. However, people with co-morbidity and pregnant women cannot donate the plasma. He said that the donor could again donate after 15 days of the first donation. He said that plasma therapy is given to only to mild and critical patients.
People with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer are also excluded. Once you reach the centre, a doctor will take a detailed medical history and conduct a physical examination (Height, Weight, Blood Pressure, Temperature, adequate veins for phlebotomy).
What test are carried out before donating plasma?
Laboratory tests are carried out to assess various conditions — serum protein and CBC, TTI testing for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV, malaria, and syphilis — and for blood grouping and antibody screening. Serum Covid-19 specific IgG antibody concentration higher than 80 is preferred.