Plasma is a liquid component of whole blood and made up 50 to 55 percent of total blood volume; industry can be setup within 2 to 3 years
Karachi, Sindh
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presiding over a meeting to discuss Plasma Fractionation Plan allowed the health department to invite investors and bring in technology to introduce the Plasma Fractionation industry in the province.
The meeting was attended by Minister Health Dr. Azar Fazal Pechuho, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Qasim Soomro, Secretary Health Zulfiqar Shah, Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh, and other concerned officers.
Minister Health Dr. Azra briefing the CM said that Plasma was a liquid component of whole blood and made up 50 to 55 percent of total blood volume. She added that Fractionation was a process by which plasma was separated into individual protein fractions that were further purified for medical use.
Dr. Azra said that the active process of Plasma Fractionation was conducted at blood banks such as donor management, blood collection, screening, component making, storage, shelf life, quality control, waste disposal, data management, awareness, and voluntary blood donation drives.
The health minister disclosed that currently large-scale manufacturers mostly focus on Albumin used to treat severe trauma and terminally ill patients, Immunoglobulins for the treatment of immune deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and severe bacterial and viral infections. Coagulation factor for Hemophilia and Fibrinogen for treatment of liver cirrhosis, postpartum hemorrhage, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Dr. Azra Pechuho talking about the benefits of having a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMPs) said that for patients it would be effective, locally available, and affordable prescription. For Doctors, it would be authentic screening methods and utilization of recovered plasma. She added that for Sindh it would bring in the latest technology, improve skills, create job opportunities, generate resources, develop cold chain, introduce screen support equipment, and establish a fractionation industry within the next two to three years and went on saying that it would make Pakistan self-sufficient and generate foreign exchange.
The chief minister, in principle, approved the plan and directed the health department to bring in investors and technology and suggest changes, if necessary, in the existing laws to support the plan. (PR)
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