A plasma and blood donation centre set up by Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman opened today.
Dr MA Khan, a professor of Dhaka Medical College's hematology department, also the lead of the technical sub-committee on plasma therapy at the college, inaugurated the centre around 11:30am on National Mourning Day.
Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK) founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, Gono Bishwabidyalay Professor and lead researcher at Gonoshasthaya Pharmaceuticals Dr Bijon Kumar Sil and other officials of the hospital were present at the programme.
Speaking at the programme, Dr Zafrullah said they opened the centre on the National Mourning Day as a mark of respect to the man who himself had named the institution Gonoshasthaya.
He said plasma is very important for many corona-infected people to beat the virus. "Many people become very weak when they get infected. Plasma is effective for them since it enhances their energy and strengthens their immune system to fight off the virus."
Zafrullah said publicity was necessary to encourage people to donate plasma and for the patients to receive it. "There needs to be a plasma centre in every district of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prof MA Khan."
He also said plasma will be collected from the blood of 25 corona-free patients every day maintaining scientific rules at the Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital's plasma centre.
Zafrullah said whereas different hospitals are taking Tk 20,000-25,000, they will only charge Tk 5,000-6,000 for providing corona patients with plasma therapy.
Dr MA Khan said the demand for plasma has decreased as people have become "less concerned about coronavirus".
He said it is very important to decide who should be given plasma therapy at what time. "If we can give it to the elderly patients at the early stage of infection of the virus, we'll get good results."
Khan also said until an effective vaccine was found, plasma therapy could be used as treatment for the deadly virus. "Because, we know at least Tk 30,000 to 60,000 is required to avail the antivirus and the drugs that are being used in injectable form to beat Covid-19."
