Patna: Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) has performed its first plasmapheresis (plasma exchange) procedure, marking a significant milestone in the treatment of complex autoimmune and neurological disorders in Bihar.
Hospital officials said the life-saving procedure was carried out successfully on a patient suffering from Neuromyelitis Optica, a rare autoimmune disease that can lead to blindness, paralysis and other life-threatening complications if left untreated.
The treatment, which typically costs between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh at private hospitals, was provided free of charge at PMCH.
Three-Day Procedure Saves Patient
PMCH Superintendent Dr Rajiv Kumar Singh said the hospital’s Department of Nephrology completed the complex procedure over a period of three days.
Plasmapheresis involves removing the patient’s disease-causing plasma from the blood and replacing it with healthy plasma before returning the blood to the body.
According to the hospital, the patient’s condition improved significantly following the treatment.
Rare Autoimmune Disease
Dr Gopal Prasad, Head of the Department of Nephrology, said the patient had been diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica, a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the optic nerves and spinal cord.
He said the disease can result in permanent vision loss, paralysis and severe neurological complications without timely intervention.
Given the patient’s rapidly worsening condition, specialists decided to proceed with plasma exchange, which proved successful.
Advanced Treatment Now Available In Bihar
Hospital authorities described the procedure as a major step forward in expanding advanced medical care at PMCH.
They said the availability of plasmapheresis would enable patients with severe autoimmune and complex neurological disorders to receive specialised treatment within Bihar, reducing the need to travel to other states or seek expensive care at private hospitals.
The administration added that the service would continue to be made available free of cost to economically disadvantaged patients, strengthening access to advanced public healthcare in the state.
