Only 0.6 p.c of the COVID19 recovered patient have donated their plasma in the State where several people are losing their lives on a daily basis.
The State has so far seen 135 deaths so far, with 9 deaths reported in a single day.
With many patients recovering with plasma treatment, it goes without saying that the plasma therapy is become a life saving one for critical patients.
However, while 9540 patients have been cured in Goa only 62 have donated their plasma, working out to 0.6 p.c, which seems to be a big setback to Goa’s fight against COVID19.
The situation is such that the State has just 14 packets of plasma left.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane today informed that the combination of Plasma and Remdesivir changed the life of AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik.
Shripad and his wife were tested positive for the virus after which both of them were shifted to a private hospital in the state.
“His condition was extremely bad but i am happy that combination of Plasma and Remdesivir worked well on him. I was really very scared at one point of time,” HM Rane said
Rane further informed that there is a shortage of plasma and that the plasma bank is left with just 14 packets.
“I urge people to come forward and save lives. I am repeating myself again through ur medium and power of media.” he added
In the meantime Rane stated that GMC cannot take plasma of asymptomatic patient as the content would be less in their plasma.
Does plasma therapy work in COVID-19 treatment?
With no approved antiviral treatment plan for the deadly COVID-19 infection, plasma therapy is an experimental approach to treat COVID positive patients and help them recover faster. The therapy, considered to be safe and promising has been used in several places across India and the world. Plasma bank has also been set up in Goa Medical College, with recovered COVID patients encouraged to actively come forward and donate plasma.
It can be done frequently as it does not pose any danger or make a person deficient in any manner. Frozen plasma can also be stored and used for a longer gap. However, while plasma therapy has good success rates, not every COVID patient can donate plasma.
How does plasma therapy help?
A recovered COVID-positive patient is considered to gain enough proteins, called antibodies in his/her blood which helps the body fight infection from the root. The plasma cells, which contain antibodies, could hence help those critically ill gain antibodies to fight the COVID-19 infection when their body is unable to do so and hence, speeding up recovery rate especially for those who belong to a high-risk category, or older or are immuno-compromised.
Studies say that convalescent plasma therapy can help provide short-term immunity against the COVID-19 virus as well.
Who can or cannot donate?
Even though the therapy is extremely effective, plasma donation has a certain limitation as to who can or cannot donate. Only people who weigh over 50 kilograms, women who are nulliparous (have not had children), have healthy haemoglobin levels, do not have pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, uncontrolled blood pressure levels are allowed to donate plasma. Individuals who are found to be positive for HIV, hepatitis B, C, E, and HTLV-1, undergoing cancer are also asked to refrain from the donation.
Does plasma therapy work in COVID-19 treatment?
With no approved antiviral treatment plan for the deadly COVID-19 infection, plasma therapy is an experimental approach to treat COVID positive patients and help them recover faster. The therapy, considered to be safe and promising has been used in several places across India and the world. Plasma banks have also been set up across Delhi, with recovered COVID patients encouraged to actively come forward and donate plasma. It can be done frequently as it does not pose any danger or make a person deficient in any manner. Frozen plasma can also be stored and used for a longer gap. However, while plasma therapy has good success rates, not every COVID patient can donate plasma.
How does plasma therapy help?
A recovered COVID-positive patient is considered to gain enough proteins, called antibodies in his/her blood which helps the body fight infection from the root. The plasma cells, which contain antibodies, could hence help those critically ill gain antibodies to fight the COVID-19 infection when their body is unable to do so and hence, speeding up recovery rate especially for those who belong to a high-risk category, or older or are immuno-compromised.
Studies say that convalescent plasma therapy can help provide short-term immunity against the COVID-19 virus as well.
Who can or cannot donate?
Even though the therapy is extremely effective, plasma donation has a certain limitation as to who can or cannot donate. Only people who weigh over 50 kilograms, women who are nulliparous (have not had children), have healthy haemoglobin levels, do not have pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, uncontrolled blood pressure levels are allowed to donate plasma. Individuals who are found to be positive for HIV, hepatitis B, C, E, and HTLV-1, undergoing cancer are also asked to refrain from the donation.
What is the procedure for plasma donation?
A potential plasma donor, who has recovered from COVID-19 (and is symptom-free for 14 days) can deposit plasma at a certified bank once specific testing and requirements are met with. Currently, people between the ages of 18-50 are being allowed to donate. Plasma collected from one person is then transfused onto two COVID patients. Unlike regular blood donation, plasma donors tend to donate about a half litre of blood for the transfusion with the help of a single-use disposable apheresis kit. Once the plasma donation is done for, the machine only retains the plasma and return all red blood cells and other components of blood. The individual ends up gaining plasma in the blood 24-72 hours post the drive and experiences little to no stress.
