By Siraj Khan, Nepagunj, Sept. 13: The Convalescent Plasma Therapy done in Banke for the first time by Bheri Hospital has become successful in curing a critical COVID-19 patient of Salyan, who had been fighting for his fight against the novel coronavirus infection.

A 29-year-old male COVID-19 patient of Sharada Municipality-6, Salyan, who was suffering from pneumonia, high fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, was discharged on Sunday as he tested negative for the virus after undergoing the plasma therapy.

He was admitted to the Bheri Hospital on August 28 after sensing the symptoms of COVID-19. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test report on August 29 revealed that he had contracted the novel coronavirus infection.

After his health condition started deteriorating, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and was provided with the oxygen support.

On the third day of being admitted, the hospital decided to treat him with the plasma therapy.

The ward chair of Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City, who had defeated the coronavirus infection had donated plasma to him on August 31.

Few days after the plasma therapy, his health condition started to show progress and finally defeated the infection on Sunday.

After testing negative for the virus, he was discharged on Sunday, informed Dr. Khagendra Jung Shah, plasma therapy focal person of the hospital.

Stating that the patient was in a critical health condition, Dr. Shah expressed his happiness on successfully conducting the first plasma therapy of Banke.

His recovery has motivated us to opt for plasma therapy for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in serious medical condition in the days to come, he added.

“It feels like I have been blessed with a new life,” said the 29-year-old recovered patient, expressing gratitude to the entire hospital fraternity. “COVID-19 should not be taken lightly. It almost claimed my life. Only I know the hardships I had to go through while battling with the virus. This is a serious disease.”

He also declared that he would donate his plasma for the treatment of other infected patients after 15 days. “I feel lucky to have defeated this deadly virus with the help of the doctors of Bheri Hospital,” he added.

The Bheri Hospital and Kohalpur Medical College in Banke have been using plasma therapy for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with serious medical condition.