Plasma therapy for Covid-19 patients is likely to be introduced at Patliputra Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) here from next week as all preparations have been completed and lab technicians are on the verge of finishing their training in Ranchi.

As for necessary equipment, a Corno Antibody IgG testing machine has been installed at the biochemistry department of PMCH. An aphaeresis machine, required for separating plasma from blood, was installed at the PMCH blood bank last week.

In-charge of PMCH blood bank Dr A.K. Singh said, “Some primary steps for obtaining a license for carrying out plasma therapy has also been completed and with the completion of a week’s training of the workforce next week, we will be in a position to launch plasma therapy.”

Singh said the lab workforce, being trained at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi, would return to Dhanbad on Monday. Those who are undergoing training include a doctor, two GNMs and two lab technicians.

“Although we have one trained technician at the laboratory, we decided to have at least three trained technicians to work in three shifts. Hence, we decided to organise training of two more technicians,” he said.

Singh said a plasma donor would have to undergo an antibody test which would be conducted at the biochemistry department.

Head of the department of PMCH biochemistry department Dr Sunil Kumar Verma said the newly installed machine can carry out 12 tests in one hour.

“We are in the process of launching another bigger machine which can carry out 24 tests per hour. The antibody test is crucial for the launch of plasma therapy as the utility of a donor’s antibody can be ascertained only through such a test,” he explained.

President of PMCH Teachers’ Association Dr D.P. Bhadani expressed his satisfaction at the preparations. “Plasma therapy will prove quite beneficial to serious Covid patients,” he said.

Dhanbad based NGO Shubh Sandesh, engaged in providing counselling services to persons suffering from lockdown induced depression, has been entrusted with the task of encouraging plasma donations by those who have recovered from Covid-19.