Facing criticism following its decision to offer plasma for “sale” to COVID-19 patients in private hospitals, Punjab Government on Thursday took a u-turn. It made it clear that “plasma will be provided free of cost by the State Government to all those in need”.

The decision was announced by the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh amid the spiraling Covid-19 infections and deaths. The Chief Minister directed the state Health Department to strictly ensure that Covid-19 patients are not charged for plasma therapy and that nobody is allowed to buy or sell plasma, which has proven a life-saver in many cases in the absence of any cure for coronavirus.

At the same time, the Chief Minister also appealed to the recovered Covid-19 patients to come forward to save the lives of others.

He urged Deputy Commissioners and Health Department officials, during a COVID-19 management review meeting, to motivate such patients to donate plasma. Currently, there are around 10,000 recovered COVID-19 patients in the State, he said, adding that the State Government’s priority was to save each and every life in Punjab.

The Chief Minister asked the Health Department to expedite setting up of two new Plasma Banks at Amritsar and Fardikot, to supplement the one already operational in Patiala.

He was informed by Medical Education and Research Minister OP Soni that the approvals for the new banks had already been received and tenders were being floated for procurement of equipment.

Expressing concern over the increasing number of cases in the State, Capt Amarinder also asked the state Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu to send a viable proposal for earmarking 10 beds in all the district hospitals for treatment and care of mild or minor cases of infection.

The Health Minister had earlier proposed such dedicated facility in all the civil hospitals of the state.

The Chief Minister also asked the DCs to ensure proper coordination and care in the tertiary facilities for the very sick patients, and also work closely with the dedicated nodal officers appointed in five districts with the highest caseload.

These officers have been tasked with ensuring high quality treatment in consultation with experts led by Dr KK Talwar.

Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan suggested that all field officers, including DCs and SSPs, should remain at their headquarter towns even at night for the next two months, as this was a critical period for Punjab, with projected spike during this time. These officers are expected to be in command of the situation at all times, she added.