Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 22: Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura today installed sophisticated machinery for conducting plasmapheresis for COVID-19 patients.
“This is an outstanding development. With these sophisticated machines, we would be now able to conduct plasmapheresis for COVID-19 patients with some precision,” Director, SKIMS Dr A.G Ahangar said.
He said that SKIMS has started plasmapheresis-using Spectra Optia Cell Separator apheresis machine which is the state-of-art machine used for plasmapheresis in COVID patients.
Plasmapheresis has been used on a trial basis for COVID- 19 patients and has shown promising results. Plasmapheresis is a process in which the liquid part of the blood, or plasma, is separated from the blood cells. Typically, the plasma is replaced with another solution such as saline or albumin, or the plasma is treated and then returned to your body.
“This way more plasma can be extracted and the onetime donor can donate for 2 patients. Since only Plasma is used a donor can donate plasma more frequently,” Dr Ahangar said.
Today, for the first time the procedure of plasmapheresis was done on a doctor who had come to SKIMS Blood Bank as a volunteer plasma donor.
Meanwhile the doctors, paramedics and the officials at SKIMS have hailed the Director for tirelessly working to install the state-of-the-art medical equipment installed at the Department.
“Installation of this machine has brought SKIMS at par with leading institutions of the country which are leading from the front on plasma therapy for COVID. It is the first step towards the establishment of a plasma bank in Kashmir,” Head, Blood Transfusion Medicine, Prof Rumana Makhdoomi said.
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