Sachin Tendulkar Inaugurates COVID-19 Plasma Therapy Unit At Mumbai Hospital

Sachin Tendulkar appealed to fellow citizens who have successfully recovered from COVID-19 to come forward and donate their blood for plasma therapy and help to save lives of patients who are critically ill.

Sachin Tendulkar (Image: ANI Twitter Handle)

'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday inaugurated a plasma therapy unit at the Seven Hills Hospital in Andheri, Mumbai for treatment of COVID-19 patients. The plasma therapy unit is an initiative of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which has been opened with an underlying objective to provide the best-in-class treatment to coronavirus patients who have been affected by the lethal pandemic. Sachin complimented the BMC on starting this initiative, which he termed as a major step towards saving the lives of fellow citizens who have got infected by the virus.The iconic cricketer once again heaped praises on the efforts of the 'Covid-19 Warriors' who are working tirelessly to combat the spread of the virus and putting their own lives at risk. "We are facing an unprecedented challenge to our health in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising to the occasion, our doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, the police, municipal and government staff are working tirelessly to deliver effective healthcare to all those affected by the virus," Tendulkar was quoted as saying in the statement. "Researchers around the globe are working to find an effective vaccine and treatment. In this, plasma therapy has emerged as an option to treat critically ill patients. I congratulate the BMC on starting this service that will save lives.

Mumbai: Former cricketer and legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar today inaugurated a plasma donation center at Seven Hills Hospital, for the treatment of #COVID19 patients. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/DFyB2ACvEG

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2020

"I appeal to people who have recovered completely from COVID-19 to come forward and donate their blood for plasma therapy and help to save lives of patients who are critically ill," he added. The plasma therapy unit will offer convalescent plasma therapy to COVID-19 patients using donated blood plasma from recovered patients. Plasma of a convalescent donor, who has recently recovered, contains high levels of antibodies against the pathogen that was the cause of the disease. When this convalescent plasma is transfused into another patient with the same disease, it provides the patient with an immediate immune response. Convalescent plasma therapy has been successfully used in the treatment of other viral diseases in the past such as SARS, MERS, and H1N1 (swine flu). Plasma therapy works by reducing the viral load significantly. Clinical trials in India have shown promising result, thus giving a new weapon to doctors against the novel coronavirus and new hope to COVID-19 patients. Over the last few months, a lot of research has been done to tackle this pandemic. From basic drugs to the latest antivirals, many treatment options are in place to treat COVID-19 patients. The Seven Hills hospital in Mumbai has led by example in treating COVID patients in the state of Maharashtra. With able support from the state government and the BMC, the hospital has come out with flying colours in succesfully providing medical care and treatment to these patients.