World’s largest plasma therapy trial for Covid patients launched

Project PLATINA, the world’s largest convalescent plasma therapy trialcum-treatment project for severe Covid-19 patients, was launched on Monday by the Medical Education and Drugs Department (MED). Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated the project and allocated Rs 16.85 crore for the project through CM Cares Fund. The government intends to benefit and save around 500 lives of critically-ill Covid-19 patients.

As per health department, convalescent plasma therapy is now being considered as one of the most important methods in the treatment of severe Covid-19 patients in the absence of definite treatment drugs for the same. The trial will be carried out in 17 medical colleges under the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drugs Department (MED), Maharashtra government and four BMC medical colleges in Mumbai (21 centres). All critical patients will receive two doses of 200 ml of convalescent plasma. The plasma of recovered patients contains antibodies against coronavirus thereby fighting the infection and helping critically-ill patients greatly.

The entire plasma therapy treatment will be free for all Covid-19 patients admitted in the above centres. Donors are available in large numbers and have no weakness whatsoever after plasma donation as RBC are returned to the patient.