First Plasma Bank of India to be set up in Delhi

On June 29, 2020, the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that his government is to set up a plasma bank in Delhi to fight COVID-19. The bank is first of its kind in the country.

Highlights

The bank will collect blood samples from those who had recovered from COVID-19. Blood plasma will be segregated from these samples. The bank is to be set up in the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences. It will act as a point of coordination between the plasma donors and recipients.

Also, the Delhi Government is to arrange conveyance for those who are interested in donating their plasma.

Background

The Delhi Government had conducted clinical trials on 29 patients and the results were positive.

Plasma Therapy

The Plasma therapy is injection of plasma (a blood-component) extracted from a recovered COVID-19 patient into a COVID-19 positive patient.

The blood plasma of a cured COVID-19 patient carries antibodies that will boost immune system. These antibodies help fight against the virus and help in speed recovery of the patient.

What is Plasma?

Plasma is the clear liquid fluid that is left behind after removing Red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets from the blood.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2020