A Kolkata Police sergeant who was infected with Covid-19 has not only rejoined duty after being cured but on Friday donated plasma for clinical trial on other infected patients.
Ekhlaque Ahmed, a sergeant with Bowbazar police station, had tested positive for the disease on May 8, two days after the officer-in-charge of the same police station had got admitted with the infection. Ahmed was released from hospital on May 16 and after completion of his 14-day quarantine period, he was back on duty on May 30.
“The next day, I transported migrant labourers sitting in a bus with them. I have also been regularly handling law and order duties. Three weeks back, I got a call from a doctor who asked me if I was willing to donate my plasma and I readily agreed. On Friday, I donated 450ml of plasma. I plead to all Covid survivors to come forward and donate their plasma to help fight this pandemic,” said Ahmed standing outside his police station on Friday.
Bowbazar police has decided to ask other officers to join the plasma donation movement after sergeant Ahmed set an example for them. “Doctor Prasun Bhattacharya had contacted me through my seniors who had played such a caring role all through our fight against the disease. Ahmed had a few doubts initially but he was clear about the procedure once he spoke to the doctors,” said OC Siddharta Chakraborty of Bowbazar police station who has himself battled and conquered Covid-19.
“Now a few other officers are willing to donate plasma. Ahmed has himself given the call. A few officers from Jorabagan, Jorasanko and south division have already contacted us,” said a top officer at Lalbazar.
Joint CP (headquarters) Subhankar Sinha Roy, too, hailed the officer stating these were examples of cops going beyond their routine call of duty.
The total number of infected Kolkata cops had crossed 400 on Wednesday. The police said that in all, about 408 have been infected. More than 350 personnel have recovered. “All cops are stable,” said an officer. So far, two cops have died of Covid-19.
Source:Times of India
