Coronavirus cases in the country are on surge and a few people are stepping forward to save life of others who are struggling to triumph over this contagious disease.
Talking about those few people, who influence the thought process of others- name of one Pankaj Aundhiya appears at first. Pankaj, who was serving as an additional nodal officer in Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital contracted the infection on June 1.
Sharing his Covid journey, Pankaj said “Just like the other day, I was on additional duty as a nodal officer. While gathering the information about that day’s COVID-19 situation, I felt feverish and developed breathing problems”. Being a frontline warrior he had already mentally prepared himself for such stance. After displaying symptoms, he lined up for the tests and was reported positive for the infection two days later.
Through him, Pankaj’s wife also got infected and the couple was then admitted to the hospital promptly.
Reportedly, he was kept under observation for 16 days. In between, he developed severe breathing issues and was kept on oxygen support for 12 days.
The doctors injected him with Tocilizumab, an immunosuppressant which when administered reduces the risk of death in patients who are critically ill with coronavirus.
His health, however, started improving over the few days and on June 16 he was declared COVID-free. But, he was kept under home quarantine for 21 days. Recalling the recovery period, Pankaj said, “It was very crucial as his immunity was very weak and his body was producing antibodies to fight coronavirus”.
“Being in isolation for so many days gave me a chance to realise the significance of Convalescent Plasma Therapy (CPT) in the absence of vaccine,” said the frontline warrior. He said it was hard to believe that a little number of recovered patients were taking the initiative to donate plasma due to stigma or fear as possessed by the society.
Pankaj understood that his duty lies beyond just being a nodal officer during unprecedented times. The moral and social responsibility of saving someone’s life as a recovered Covid patient is the need of the hour. ‘I too had the fear or apprehensions of donating Plasma but the will to help someone triumphed,” added Pankaj.
On August 11, the frontline warrior went to Rajkot for some professional commitment and there he was informed about the immediate need of plasma. He was then called to the Life Blood Centre, a blood bank.
Before jumping on to the plasma extraction, the doctor first made him aware of the process of donation and therapy. Doctors explained him the methodology of the plasma extraction and how it will be transfused into the patient’s body.
Once he was fully convinced about the process, he signed a donor registration and consent form.Once he was fully convinced about the process, he signed a donor registration and consent form.
Next, the doctors assessed the status of his serum protein and CBC. He underwent several tests for the hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV, malaria, and syphilis. He also had to take an antibody screening test as per the Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR) kit method.
After his results were found to be satisfactory, the transfusion process began that lasted for about 45 minutes.
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“Unlike blood donation, only plasma was extracted and the other components of blood including red blood cells were kept intact in the body,” added Pankaj. This was an automated process, where he was connected to the apheresis machine. The blood centre used a disposable use apheresis kit and one needle.
According to his weight, Pankaj donated 300 ml and saved a life.
Reiterating his experience Pankaj said, “Overall the plasma donation process was completely pain-free and safe. I hardly even noticed that something was being extracted out of my body.”