Ahmedabad, Apr 18 () The Gujarat government hasdecided to carry out plasma transfusion treatment on COVID-19patients in the state, particularly those in criticalcondition, to boost their immunity, health officials said.
In this treatment, the plasma extracted from the bloodof a fully recovered COVID-19 patient is injected into thecritical patient to help his body generate antibodies to fightthe virus.
An antibody is a protein produced mainly by plasmacells that is used by the immune system to neutralize bacteriaand viruses.
The civil hospital in Ahmedabad and the civic body-runSVP Hospital here have prepared a detailed proposal about theplasma transfusion treatment for coronavirus patients andsubmitted it to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)for approval, Principal Secretary, Health, Jayanti Ravi, said.
"We have learned that the ICMR has given approval tothe Kerala government for such plasma transfusion treatment.From Gujarat, Ahmedabad civil hospital and SVP Hospital havesought ICMR's permission to start this treatment forcoronavirus patients," she said.
"Both the hospitals are ready to start it. They havealready sent their proposals for approval," Ravi added.
"An antibody is generated by the human body to fight avirus. Those who are fully recovered have such antibodyprotein in their blood plasma. We will take it from them andtransfuse it into those who are critical and on ventilatorsupport.
"That plasma will help the patient to generateantibodies to fight coronavirus," she said.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, which runs SVPHospital, has already taken consent of some plasma donors.
"SVP Hospital is ready to start plasma treatment oncewe get permission from ICMR. We have also convinced somedonors, who are fully recovered from coroavirus infection, togive their plasma for treatment of others," AhmedabadMunicipal Commissioner Vijay Nehra said. PJT PDNP NP
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