Plasma Donation: Opposition Slams Odisha Govt Over COVID-19 Politics

Bhubaneswar: A day after several ministers were assigned responsibilities by Odisha government to encourage COVID-19 recovered patients to donate plasma, opposition parties today accused Odisha government of politicising the fight against the virus.

Leader of Opposition Pradipta Naik said experienced people should be appointed for such initiative. “When COVID-19 situation has worsened in Odisha, State government has entrusted the responsibility to ministers to encourage plasma donation in several districts. It is purely a political gimmick,” said Naik.

Naik further stated that people will not accept or listen to others when Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has already appealed recovered patients to come forward to donate plasma.

Acknowledging the significance of #PlasmaTherapy in treatment of serious patients, CM has assigned responsibilities to Ministers to promote plasma donation in all the districts. Ministers will visit the assigned districts to oversee the plasma donation. #OdishaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/Ze7Hu1dNnh

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) July 25, 2020

Congress MLA Sura Routray said that the State government had initially not engaged elected people’s representatives in COVID-19 management in Odisha and only after repeated demands, the State government has now roped in ministers in the fight against COVID-19.

“What will only ministers do? The State government should also allow MLAs, ex-MLAs and others in COVID-19 management,” said Routray.

Senior BJD leader and minister Pratap Jena informed that the ministers have been given responsibilities to encourage COVID-19 recovered patients to come forward and their donate plasma which can help critically-ill patients recover.

“We will discuss the matter with recovered patients and bear all the expenses of their transportation, accommodation and food,” said Jena.

The plasma therapy has so far yielded positive results in Odisha. Meanwhile, the State government has decided to set up three more plasma banks in Odisha including Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati Medical College & Hospital (MKCG) in Berhampur and Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar.

Plasma Banks will start functioning at MKCG, Berhampur & Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar next month and one more will come up at IGH Rourkela. First plasma bank is already functional at SCB MCH, Cuttack while #PlasmaTherapy has already begun in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack & Berhampur.

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) July 25, 2020

(Edited By Pradeep Singh)

Also Read: With 10 More Covid-19 Deaths, Odisha Sees Highest Single-Day Toll