Ministers vow to improve plasma donation
Bhubaneswar: A day after chief minister Naveen Patnaik assigned districts to his colleagues to promote plasma donation, several ministers said they would be actively involved in motivating the recovered patients to donate plasma.
Housing and urban development minister Pratap Jena, who has been assigned Cuttack and Mayurbhanj districts, said he will soon discuss with the recovered patients.
“I will soon seek the detailed list of the recovered patients in the two districts and speak to them so that they come forward for plasma donation. We will facilitate everything for their travel and accommodation,” Jena told reporters here.
Industries and energy minister Dibya Shankar Mishra, who has been given the responsibility to promote plasma donation in Dhenkanal district, said he will discuss about public representatives and district administrations to reach out to the recovered patients. “Saving each precious life is the aim of our government as stated by the chief minister,” said Mishra.
Over 15,000 Covid patients have so far recovered in Odisha while many of them have showed their desire to donate plasma.
A 48-year-old woman patient of Cuttack, who was the first to be treated with plasma therapy, has recovered and discharged from hospital. So far, 13 patients have received plasma therapy and most are responding well.
While the first plasma bank has become functional at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, plasma therapy has already started at the Covid hospitals in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Berhampur. Official sources said while approval has been given to set up at plasma bank at IGH, Rourkela, two more Covid banks will be set up at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, in August.
The state government has urged recovered patients to register online to donate plasma. Governor Ganeshi Lal also urged people to donate plasma. “Hon’ble Governor has appealed to all #COVID19 recovered persons to donate plasma which will be a great humanitarian as well as spiritual service in the time of pandemic,” the Raj Bhavan tweeted.
While Congress leader Suresh Routray said the government should also involve MLAs along with ministers, leader of opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik said the government should rope in health experts instead of ministers for betterment of people.