Health Department working in full swing for plasma donation

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: NHM (National Health Mission) Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Pomi Baruah has informed that considering the increasing demand for plasma in the State, the Health Department has adopted various initiatives for plasma donation.

"A dedicated team of doctors are calling recovered/discharged COVID positive patients regularly, urging them for plasma donation, explaining the process patiently to each recovered patient. Orientation of COVID patients at the COVID Hospitals and COVID Care Centers regarding the need for plasma donation, urging potential donors to donate plasma through print/electronic and social media, appeals by the telemedicine consultation group and 104 team to patients in home isolation are being done on a daily basis," said Baruah. The Health Department is also constantly in touch with the Assam Police and Armed forces, including the CISF and BSF seeking their support for Plasma donation, she added.

She further informed that the District Media Experts of NHM are notified as nodal officers for plasma donation in each district. Plasma extraction is being carried out in Guwahati Medical College, Tezpur Medical College, Silchar Medical College and AMCH, Dibrugarh. The nearby districts are sending donors to the respective Medical Colleges for plasma donation.

Baruah informed that potential donors may call 104 and 6913029959, 6913029961, 6913649081 for registration for plasma donation. Donors willing to donate plasma may register their names in the 'Convalescent Plasma Therapy(CPT)' portal — http://www.assamplasmabank.in/ of Health & Family Welfare Department.

Regarding sharing of the list of COVID positive patients with various NGOs and the public for plasma donation, Dr Raktim Tamuli, Superintendent of Kalapahar COVID Hospital informed that complaints have been received from many COVID recovered persons, citing repeated calls by various agents and organizations for plasma donation, which have caused discomfort and mental stress to the recovered patients. Hence the Department has been cautious regarding sharing of potential donor lists with NGOs, the public etc.

It is to be noted that Convalescent Plasma Donation is required to be taken from patients who have recovered from COVID only after 28 days of RTPCR negative result. Convalescent Plasma Therapy (CPT) is recommended only in the early stage of COVID-19 disease in mild and moderate cases preferably within 7 days of symptom onset, not later than 10 days, as per extant guidelines.

Dhiraj Gowala on behalf of the Association.

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