CHANDIGARH:The first plasma therapy has successfully been administered to two COVID-19 positive patients at Government Medical College, Amritsar. It was disclosed here by Medical Education and Research Minister Mr. O P Soni.
The Minister in a press communiqué said that Government Medical College, Amritsar, has been enrolled in ICMR project titled: “Phase II open label randomized controlled trail to assess the safety & efficacy of convalescent plasma to limit COVID-19 associate complications in moderate disease”. The plasma was donated yesterday (23-06-2020) by a treated COVID-19 positive case from Chheharta, Amritsar. He had returned from Dubai, and on his return he was found to be COVID 19 positive.
Mr. Soni said the plasma therapy has been given to two COVID-19 positive patients currently admitted in Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Government Medical College, Amritsar, one from Pathankot and the other from Amritsar. The plasma therapy was started at around 3:35 am on 24-6-2020 and has been successfully completed. These patients will be followed up for improvement in their condition. ‘The plasma of convalescent patient is given to COVID-19 positive patients with moderate disease and this therapy is being used across globe for the management for COVID 19 positive patients.’ added Mr. Soni.
He said that earlier ICMR had given sanction to Government Medical College, Faridkot under the National Clinical Trial to treat patients with Plasma Therapy and has become one of the leading institutes in the country to introduce this therapy.
Mr. Soni said that this plasma was transmitted to a person suffering from corona virus severely. After plasma therapy the patient's condition is rapidly improving and they are under observation. While appealing recovered COVID-19 Patients to come forward for this noble cause Cabinet Minister said under Mission Fateh, the Punjab government has taken many steps to strengthen the government health facilities for the fight against COVID-19 as well as provide treatment through innovative methods.