Media Release

Udupi, Sep 24: Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal announced, “Kasturba Hospital Blood Centre, Manipal has recently received the license to perform donor plasmapheresis and now commences the 'Plasma Bank' to provide the convalescent plasma to the patients in need.”

“Plasma obtained from COVID-19 recovered patients can be used as a treatment to manage patients with this infection. Convalescent plasma is expected to contain antibodies against the virus and is therefore likely to benefit the patient by neutralizing the virus particles,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shamee Shastry, Professor and head of the K H Blood Centre said, “Following stringent screening, we will be collecting plasma from the eligible donors as per the regulatory guidelines and inventory will be maintained based on the clinical demand. Following 28 days of complete resolution of symptoms people between 18-60 years can register as a plasma donor. Donor screening involves mainly, physical examination, checking the optimum levels of antibody to COVID-19, blood grouping, screening for transfusion transmissible infection and estimation of total serum protein level. Plasmapheresis procedure takes approximately one hour. Eligible donors can donate twice in a month fortnightly not more than 24 times in a year,” Dr Shamee added.

Dr Sharath K Rao, dean of Kasturba Medical College Manipal and C G Muthana, chief operating officer of Kasturba Hospital Manipal, appreciated the entire team for initiating the Plasma Bank.

Kasturba Hospital Blood Centre, requests COVID-19 recovered individuals to come forward and register for this noble deed. For more information please contact PH: 0820 2922331.