Two Covid-19 patients treated with plasma therapy recover in Ludhiana

The plasma was arranged from a Patiala-based donor through the Government Medical College there.

A city hospital has been successful in treating two patients suffering from Covid-19 by using convalescent plasma therapy.

In plasma therapy, the antibody-rich plasma from a recovered patient is extracted and administered to a patient. (Representative photo)

The first patient, a 72-year-old man from Pathankot, was admitted to the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMC&H), Ludhiana, on June 20 with moderate symptoms and respiratory issues, while the second patient from Jalandhar was admitted to the hospital on June 21.

Both were suffering from comorbidities and were kept on ventilator support. After assessing their condition, it was decided to administer plasma therapy. The plasma was arranged from a Patiala-based donor through Government Medical College, Patiala.

“Their condition improved with the help of plasma therapy and supportive care,” said Dr Bishav Mohan, member of Covid task force constituted by the state government.While the first patient is set to be discharged from the hospital, the second patient was still under observation, he added.

Civil surgeon Dr Rajesh Bagga said that the two patients undergoing treatment though plasma therapy had recovered.

“The proposal for creating a plasma bank is in the pipeline. We have kept a log of patients who have recovered from Covid-19, and are eligible to donate plasma,” said Bagga.

Dr Mohan said that the government had decided to set up a state-level plasma bank in GMC, Patiala, and had asked other districts to create a plasma bank. “I believe this would immensely help in the treatment of severely ill patients,” he said.

Dr Rajesh Mahajan from DMC&H said, “We have all the equipment (separator) in place and we are expecting that soon cured patients will come forward to donate plasma. However, not every Covid-19 positive patient can be a donor. ”

Dr M Joseph John, head of the department of the clinical haematologist at Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMC&H), said, “In the present situation, plasma it is the only treatment available for Covid-19.”

Ludhiana’s first Covid-19 patient to be administered convalescent plasma therapy was ACP Anil Kohli.

However, the treatment failed and his condition deteriorated, said Bagga.

In plasma therapy, the antibody-rich plasma from a recovered patient is extracted and administered to a patient. The blood of a convalescent patient is rich in antibodies that are expected to help the critical patient recover