Hundreds of Delhi Police personnel are likely to donate their plasma during the weeklong campaign, initiated by Capital’s police of India.
‘Plasma Donation Campaign’ has been launched at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here in New Delhi on Sunday. The objective of the campaign is to create a plasma bank and to encourage people to come forward for donating plasma to be used for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan was the Chief Guest while Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava was Guest of Honour on the occasion. In all, 26 personnel including a Woman Constable of Delhi Police kicked off the campaign by donating their plasma. More than 650 personnel are likely to donate their plasma during the campaign.
In his welcome address, AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria appreciated the initiative of Delhi Police and termed the donor police personnel ‘Super Corona Warriors’, as being affected by the deadly virus they first fought against it and then voluntarily donated their plasma to save the lives of others. He appealed people to come forward and donate plasma as it would help to treat critical patients.
Speaking on the occasion, Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava, underlined that dealing with Corona Virus has been a unique experience as none of us knew what to do. Police had two major responsibilities i.e. to maintain law & order and to enforce the lockdown. At the same time, managing our own health and motivation of force were also a challenge. Being visible arms of the government, police must ensure implementation of government’s directions. Delhi Police have been cooperative and compassionate while extending services to the needy, senior citizens, daily wagers and sick persons by providing food, medicines and transport facilities.
“Being frontline warriors police personnel were most susceptible to exposure of the virus. As a result more than 2500 personnel were infected and a dozen succumbed to the virus in the line of duty. However, the recovery rate is more than 84% as more than 2100 personnel have been recovered and resumed their duties. Delhi Police is committed to look after the family welfare of those personnel who sacrificed their lives while fighting this deadly disease. The initiative of donating plasma by Medical Warriors & Corona Warriors of Delhi Police would embolden the efforts in the fight against the pandemic,”said the Commissioner of Police.
Lauding the efforts of Delhi Police for taking initiative to build a plasma bank, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, called the event as pious, noble and inspiring in its spirit. He said that Delhi Police personnel have set an example by voluntarily donating plasma in order to save the lives of others, while ignoring their own sufferings. It will inspire other corona warriors to donate their plasma. He profoundly appreciated Constable Om Prakash of Amar Colony police station, who donated his plasma thrice. No contribution to serve humanity can be greater than plasma donation.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan, who coined the term ‘Corona Warriors’ called plasma donors as ‘Plasma Warriors’. The minister recalled how Delhi Police helped in the ‘Polio Free Delhi’ campaign launched in 1994 and made it a big success. While appreciating the commitment of Delhi Police in fighting against Corona Virus, the chief guest stressed that the role of Delhi Police will always be remembered and find a place in the history of war against Corona. He presented a book titled ‘A tale of two drops’ authored by him to Commissioner and Dr. Guleria. The book is written on Polio Campaign and highlights Delhi Police contribution in eradicating polio from Delhi.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan presented Certificates of Appreciation and kits to the plasma donors. Special Commissioner RS Krishnia, Joint Commissioner D C Shrivastava, Additional Commissioner MS Randhawa, Deputy Commissioner Atul Thakur and faculty members of AIIMS were present on the occasion.
