Odisha constable's plasma saves Covid patient in Sundargarh

BHUBANESWAR: A Covid-recovered constable’s timely donation of plasma saved the life of a seriously ill patient in Sundargarh. Jacob Barla, the constable, played the role of a saviour when the Sundargarh police received a distress call, urgently seeking A+ blood group plasma from any Covid recovered person on Sunday.
Though Covid cured cops in different districts have been donating plasma, Jacob’s humane gesture earned special accolades as any delay would have turned fatal for the patient.
Sundargarh police, which was busy on Nuakhai festival duty and Covid enforcement drive on Sunday, received a distress call from the family of the patient, who was desperately looking for plasma of A+ blood group. The officers were on their toes as the 45-year-old Covid patient with comorbidities was in serious condition and they did not have much time to arrange plasma.
“We immediately circulated the message among our colleagues, who had recovered from Covid. Most of them were on duty in far-off locations to ensure that people did not violate social distancing norm during the celebration of Nuakhai festival on Sunday. When Jacob heard of the emergency case, he promptly contacted us and agreed to donate plasma,” superintendent of police (Sundargarh) Sagarika Nath said.
Jacob, who is a magazine guard in the district police armoury, recently recovered from Covid infection. He was immediately granted leave and sent to the Ispat General Hospital (IGH) at Rourkela for a rapid antigen test and health check-up. “Fortunately his blood group was A+ and he met all the criteria that are required for an eligible plasma donor. He donated plasma on Monday following a nod from the doctors. Same day, the patient underwent plasma therapy. We are proud of Jacob’s noble deed,” Nath said.
On Tuesday, Jacob called up the patient and his relatives and inquired about his condition. “I was relieved to know that the patient was out of danger. Though he was still under observation in the ICU, doctors said his condition improved after the plasma therapy,” Jacob said.
In accordance with the plasma donation guidelines of the state police headquarters, Jacob will be felicitated and conferred with a ‘commendation in service book’.