How Did An Odisha Youth Save A COVID-19 Patient’s Life?

Rourkela: Timely action is of utmost importance during medical emergencies, otherwise the effort is futile. A young social worker here did exactly that. His prompt action in arranging plasma helped to save a COVID-19 patient’s life, reported The New Indian Express (TNIE).

On July 28, Prakash Paswan (27) came to know that a 47-year-old patient admitted at the Hi-Tech COVID-19 Hospital was fighting for his life and needed plasma therapy.

Along with two other volunteers, he immediately headed to Cuttack’s SCB Medical College and Hospital at about 1.30 am and returned the same day to ensure that the patient is given plasma therapy as early as possible.

“The patient was successfully administered plasma on July 29 morning and is recuperating well. I am so thankful, his life has been saved,” TNIE quoted Prakash as saying.

The patient’s relative Bibek Saraf (22) from Bargarh district told TNIE that he was on ventilator support and plasma therapy was the last resort to save him.

The patient is an industrial labourer and was living alone in Rourkela. He contacted Prakash through a local NGO as there was no one to help the latter. “I am grateful that Prakash came to our rescue. Even if he is a stranger to us, his selfless act saved the life of a loved one today,” the report added quoting him.

This is not the first time that Prakash has helped someone. In May, he helped a poor couple who had taken shelter under a tree at the court complex after being driven out by their landlord. On another occasion, he arranged night shelter for a stranded poor migrant woman and her baby before sending them to Khunti, Jharkhand on May 26. Besides, he also facilitated the return of about 40 migrants stranded at Jhirpani to Bolangir during the lockdown, TNIE reported.