These networks are trying to connect patients with plasma donors as Mumbai battles Covid-19 surge

A doctor collects a blood sample from a woman during a screening for plasma blood donation by people recovered from the COVID-19 coronavirus at a school in Dharavi, in Mumbai on July 23, 2020. Photo: AFP/ Indranil Mukherjee

Since the beginning of the second wave of Covid-19, Dr Neil Pinto and Karina Thakrar, have had a frenzied schedule. As founders of the PINT Network, their job is to connect plasma donors directly to the patients through their online platform and the recent surge in cases means that their hands are full.

"After we started in March last year, we received about 100 to 200 requests in June, but by December it had gone down to 20-30 requests as the number of cases had decreased. However, with the recent surge, we now have almost 200-300 requests for plasma a day and it is still not enough to match up to the patients, who are in the hospitals," says Dr Pinto, whose network currently has over 5,000 patients and 300 donors. "We're able to help only 1 in every 20 patients. While we get around 200 requests a day, we get only 10-20 donor registrations a day."

The plasma can be donated only by people who have recovered from Covid-19 and so after their eligibility is checked through a series of tests, which takes not more than two hours, the actual donation process takes only 45 minutes. "Everyone knows that blood transfusion requires blood grouping and matching. So, more than one donor will be needed to find the ideal plasma donor for the Covid-19 affected and time is of the essence. So, the demand for plasma donors," explains virologist Dr T Jacob John.

After testing positive for Covid-19 in June 2020, Mahalaxmi's Ketan Shah immediately started researching about plasma therapy and did the tests required to become a donor. "During my visits, the blood banks told me about the hesitation of people who had recovered from Covid-19 towards the idea of donating their plasma. Many of them did not want to do it because they didn't want to go through the experience. Since then, I have been trying to create awareness on social media but it hasn't got much traction," says the 50-year-old four-time plasma donor who has donated twice at Nanavati Hospital in Juhu and Prince Aly Khan Hospital in Byculla respectively, with help from the PINT network.

Unfortunately, as the antibodies do not stay longer than the four-month period, Shah, who runs his own investment banking business in the city, says he isn't allowed to donate more times or he would have. Another service, friends2support.org, is also helping connect donors with patients.

However, the lower number of plasma donors can be attributed to the lack of awareness about plasma therapy which has been gaining ground over the last one year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. PINT's Dr Pinto believes that it is also the process that tends to get overwhelming for people. "After one has had the experience of being in the hospital due to Covid-19, they may hesitate because they do not want to relive the experience again. Secondly, it does take about two hours and it is only after they are found eligible that they can donate. Another factor is that many of them are scared of needles and that may be a reason as to why they opt out of it."

While many still hesitate, Dr John has an encouraging message: "All healthy Covid-19-recovered adults can become life-saving angels if you volunteer, first by registering yourself as a volunteer donor. Since time is short, donors may donate even in the absence of a deserving patient -- plasma can be stored in the blood bank and given to the next candidate with no delay."

Addressing the Remdesevir and oxygen shortage
As with plasma, the need for oxygen cylinders and the approved Remdesivir injections is growing too. The latter drug is believed to be sold on the black market due to high demand. Currently, Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories is ramping up production of the injection, and is also said to have reduced its price by half. The company also launched a website Readytofightcovid.in to track the availability of the injection in real-time along with a helpline number 1800-266-708.
The injection is also beingmade available through collectors and drug inspectors in Maharashtra and those who require it can call on the toll-free number 1800222365. Their contact number will be shared with the relevant authority.

The Remdesivir injection is to be used only on those who require hospitalisation or are on oxygen support. It cannot be used in the home setting or in mild cases, NITI Aayog member VK Paul said in a statement Friday.

Correction: An earlier version of the story included a quote stating that only men can donate plasma because of certain conditions. The reference has been removed as women, with the exception of those who have a history of pregnancy, can be donors too. The error is regretted.