Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government on Saturday got a nod to carry out plasma transfusion treatment on COVID-19 patients in the state from ICMR, particularly for those in critical condition, to boost their immunity.
After getting the approval, the recently discharged and healthy COVID-19 patient, Smruti Thakkar was contacted yesterday late evening to donate her plasma.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, she called out other Corona -warriors and requested them to donate their plasma.
Thakkar of Ahmedabad was discharged from SVP hospital on April 6 after undergoing the treatment of 17 days.
"The procedure lasted for nearly 99 minutes, however, it was not at all painful. It's safe and I request to all recovered and discharged Covid-19 patients to come forward and donate their plasma, " she said.
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In this treatment, the plasma extracted from the blood of a fully recovered COVID-19 patient is injected into the critical patient to help his/her body in the production of antibodies.
An antibody is a protein produced mainly by plasma cells and is used by the immune system to neutralize bacteria and viruses.
"An antibody is generated by the human body to fight a virus. Those who have fully recovered have such antibody protein in their blood plasma. We will take it from them and transfuse it into those who are critical and on ventilator support. That plasma will help the patient to generate antibodies to fight coronavirus, " said Jayanti Ravi, Principal Secretary-Health.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, which runs SVP Hospital, has already taken consent of some plasma donors.
