In a significant development to keep the COVID-19 under check, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College & Hospital Faridkot has conducted the state’s maiden convalescent Plasma Therapy as a part of novel treatment modality.Lauding this endeavour, Punjab Medical Education and Research Minister Mr O.P. Soni said that the therapy was given to a seriously ill patient of Covid-19 by a team of doctors at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College & Hospital Faridkot. This hospital has become one of the pioneer institutes in the country to initiate this therapy, as a part of National Clinical Trial under the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), said the Minister.Mr Soni pointed out that this was the first ever therapy given in Punjab to a patient of Covid-19. Few days back the plasma of a recovered patient of Covid was collected and stored for this purpose at GGS Medical College Faridkot, said Soni adding that the plasma was given to moderate to severely ill patient of this disease. After receiving the plasma therapy, patient’s condition is gradually improving and is now under observation.Minister exhorted that more people, who have recovered from COVID-19, should come forward for this noble cause.
While appreciating the feat of GGS Medical College and Hospital, Principal Secretary Medical Education and Research Mr. D K Tiwari disclosed that GMC Patiala is also going to start Plasma therapy soon and approval for GMC Amritsar is in process.Meanwhile, appreciating this major achievement of the institute, Vice Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Dr Raj Bahadur said that Convalescent plasma can be taken from any symptomatic patient recovered from the COVID-19 disease. Once patient’s report (RT-PCR) becomes negative, he/she can donate his/her plasma after 14 days, as his blood contains antibodies which can help to cure the disease, he added. Principal Dr Deepak John Bhatti & the Medical Superintendent Dr Rajiv Joshi termed this therapy a benchmark as a saviour for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The working team including Dr. Ravinder Garg (Medicine deptt), Dr. Neetu Kukar (Blood Transfusion deptt), Dr Neerja Jindal (Microbiology deptt) and Dr. Divya Kavita (Critical Care deptt), expressed their gratitude to the State Government for their continuous support and guidance in making this challenge a success.