US took cue from 'Delhi model' and adopted plasma therapy: Kejriwal govt

"What Delhi did yesterday, America does today", said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday as his government claimed that US opted model of convalescent plasma rapy for treatment of critically-ill coronavirus patients, taking a cue from 'Delhi Model' of battling COVID-19.

Delhi government's statement comes after US Food and Drug ministration (FDA) gave emergency authorisation for use of blood plasma to treat coronavirus patients, saying benefits of treatment outweighed any potential risks.

Delhi government was " first to seek permission for trials" of plasma rapy in April and first to open a plasma bank in India in July, a Delhi government statement said.

"Taking a cue from Delhi Model of battling coronavirus, federal government of United States of America has also opted model of convalescent plasma rapy for treatment of critically COVID-19 patients in US.

" anuncement was me today by US President Mr Donald Trump," statement said.

In a tweet, Kejriwal said, "y used to say back in day - what America does today, India would do tomorrow. Delhi has changed it. w - what Delhi did yesterday, America does today. Congratulations Delhiites for achieving this for our country." Back in April, Delhi government was first in country to apply for permission from Centre to carry out trials of plasma rapy at its LNJP hospital, statement said.   Following encouraging results of initial trials of plasma rapy in critical COVID patients, Delhi government n requested Centre to allow plasma rapy in national capital, which was granted, it said.

first plasma bank in country was subsequently started in ILBS by Delhi government on July 2, with an objective to provide free of cost convalescent plasma to patients.  Subsequently, ar plasma bank was launched at LNJP Hospital in Delhi.  "This system has been a crucial element in Delhi Model of COVID response and is being opted by or states too," statement said.

establishment of plasma bank by Arvind Kejriwal-led government was done to put forward an "efficient system" for recovery of patients and reduce number of COVID-19 deaths to zero, it said.  During launch of plasma bank, Kejriwal h requested COVID-19 recovered patients to donate plasma in large numbers and be effective contributors in Delhi's fight against coronavirus, which is "essence" of Delhi model of COVID response, it said.  Plasma has an important role in declining death rate of COVID-19 patients and until a vaccine comes, convalescent plasma rapy should be looked at as an effective treatment for COVID-19, statement said.

convalescent plasma has been provided to patients of all blood groups, including rare blood group AB, B, and O. plasma rapy has shown "encouraging results" in "recovery" of critically-ill patients, it said.  Till August 11, a total of 921 COVID-19 recovered patients h donated plasma at ILBS plasma bank, it said.

dors include 86 healthcare workers, 209 entrepreneurs, eight media personnel, 28 police officials, 50 students, 32 government officials, and 508 ors like servicemen, self-employed professionals, n-residents of Delhi among ors.

Around 14 recovered patients have donated plasma more than once, ded statement.