New Delhi: To address the rising need for plasma due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, the Congress party on Saturday launched a 'Plasma Donation Link', where people can register themselves to donate plasma.
During the launch, Indian Youth Congress president Srinivas BV told the media, "We have been continuously arranging and donating plasma to the people. Several Congress workers, who have been infected with COVID-19 and recovered, will also play a role in this. Apart from them, all those who voluntarily want to donate plasma can also enroll themselves on this link."
Congress launches 'Plasma Donation link', urges people to donate plasma Explaining how the system works, he said, "A database will be sent to the PCC control room to segregate it state-wise. The beneficiary's name and contact number will be collected and plasma provided to them."
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Srinivas said people were apprehensive about donating plasma. "We had identified 5,000 people who could donate plasma but most of them were not willing to give. So, we counseled them through medical experts. We want to urge the people to register themselves on this link and donate plasma," he said.
He said the party had received requests for plasma from about 20,000 people from across the country. From Delhi alone, we have around 3,000 requests and we have attended to 600 of them so far. We are getting a lot of requests from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka among other states. But, there is a shortage of donors."
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, who was also present during the press conference, said, "In such unprecedented times, the Congress party's state units are involved in relief work through social media. You can see how our Youth Congress is being engaged in relief work round the clock."
He said after Rahul Gandhi's request, about 22,000 volunteers in 1,586 Assembly constituencies and 357 districts began contributing to the relief work.
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Earlier today, Rahul Gandhi launched a helpline number for online medical consultation during this pandemic. He had also requested the doctors and mental health professionals to enroll themselves on the portal to help the needy. He tweeted, "India needs to stand together and help our people. We have launched ‘Hello Doctor’ a medical advisory helpline. Please call +919983836838 for medical advice. Dear Dr’s & mental health professionals, we need your help. Please enroll (sic)."
