Assam sets up Plasma Bank to treat COVID-19 patients

GUWAHATI: Assam Health Department has set up Plasma Bank to start Plasma Therapy for COVID-19 patients in the state.

The Plasma Bank has been set up at Guwahati Medical College Hospital (GNCH) and has been made operational from today.

State Health Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that  Plasma Therapy was being initiated in the state in view of rising number of COVID-19 patients of late especially in Guwahati city.

He said for the plasma bank, plasma will be collected from already cured COVID-19 patients. Doctors of Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) were in touch with experts in Plasma Therapy at Max Hospital in New Delhi.

The first donor to the newly-set up Plasma bank happens to be Dr Lithikesh of GMCH who was recently recovered from COVID-19 infection.

“Glad to share that we’ve started a #PlasmaBank at GMCH. The first convalescent donor is a doctor himself, a #COVID19 patient. My gratitude to Dr Lithikesh for donating his plasma, and to the team who is working on this bank. I encourage cured patients to come forward & donate,” tweeted the Health Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.