Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday inaugurated the sixth Plasma Bank in Odisha at Saheed Laxman Naik (SLN) Medical College & Hospital in Koraput through video conferencing.

Praising the donor who donated plasma at the hospital today, Patnaik said that plasma therapy was introduced in the State of Odisha just six weeks ago as a possible curative and healing therapy in Odisha’s fight against the global pandemic COVID-19.

Success in the initial trial has given Odisha Government the confidence to proliferate plasma banks all across various regions of the State. With the inauguration of sixth plasma bank open in Koraput, in continuation with the State Government’s efforts to serve the people, plasma will be more easily available and accessible to all needy COVID patients in Odisha.

This is in line with the government’s vision of enabling access to advanced healthcare for all and the government’s solemn commitment to ensure that no person in Odisha would be deprived of the best medical facility, said Patnaik

“I am very happy to state that the State of Odisha is one of the few states in the country and the world taken together where plasma therapy has been successful. We have also been at the forefront of testing and treatment of COVID patients,” said the Chief Minister.

He further said that the State Government is proud of the medical personnel who have been true warriors at the forefront of the war against the pandemic. They are the foundation on the basis of which the State Government is able to make such strong commitment to the people.

“Our government recognises the contribution of all our medical personnel and is being solidly encouraging and supporting them. Plasma is showing good results, I am informed that more than 400 patients have been transfused with plasma and it has shown good results in 320 patients,” he added.

Patnaik once again appealed to all eligible COVID-cured survivors to come forward to donate their valuable plasma. Each of the plasma donors is recognised as a worthy citizen of Odisha. They are lifesavers and real plasma warriors and the State of Odisha is proud of them, said Patnaik.

“I congratulate the team behind opening the plasma bank at the Saheed Laxman Naik Medical College & Hospital, Koraput. I am sure that the centre will not only become a Centre of Excellence but also a Centre of Service in the tribal district of Koraput and instill new hope and fulfill the aspirations of the people,” he added.

Attending the inaugural function, Health Minister Naba Kishore Das and Minister for Handlooms and Textiles Padmini Dian said that the establishment of a plasma bank in Koraput would benefit the COVID patients in southern Odisha. The two ministers called on the people to come forward and donate plasma to fulfill the efforts of the Chief Minister.

Among others who attended the event were SC & ST Development Minister Jagannath Sarka, Nabarangpur MP Ramesh Chandra Majhi, Jeypore MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati, Koraput MLA Raghuram Padal, Chief Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy, Development Commissioner Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary and Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena and Secretary to CM 5T VK Pandian.

Additional Chief Secretary of Health Department, Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra, gave the welcome address and the Vote of Thanks was presented by Koraput Collector Madhusudan Mishra.