JNMC to set up Plasma Bank

Aligarh : In a big boost to Covid 19 management, a ‘Plasma Bank’ will be set up at the Blood Bank of the Department of Pathology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The bank will help the initiation of convalescent plasma therapy by collecting and storing plasma from recovered patients.

Professor Tariq Mansoor hoped that the plasma therapy will go a long way in ensuring speedy recovery of the patients. AMU has been doing whatever it could to curb the pandemic that threatens the nation.

“JNMC has the duly assessed infrastructure and equipment and health workers are being trained on collection and storage of plasma drawn from recovered patients,” said Prof Shahid Ali Siddiqui (Principal, JNMC).

Urging Covid patients to donate plasma after 14 days of successful recovery, Prof Sayeedul Hasan Arif (Chairman, Dept of Pathology) emphasised that the donors should be between 18 and 60 years in age and should not weigh less than 50 kg.

Nevertheless, he cautioned women, who have gone through pregnancy; people on insulin intakes with high blood sugar levels and patients suffering from heart, kidney, and lung diseases against donating their plasma.

“Those willing to donate plasma can contact the HIV Counsellor, Mr Suhail Abbas (Phone: 9410061472) and Medical Officers, Dr Fawad Khan (Phone: 9457990934) and Dr Smriti Prasad (Phone: 9358203015), ” said Prof Kafeel Akhtar (Incharge, Blood Bank).

Prof Kafeel added that around 800 successfully recovered coronavirus patients in the Aligarh District can contact JNMC officials for plasma donation.