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Plasmapheresis—a medical procedure that purifies the blood by removing harmful substances—is included in the Benefits Package of mandatory health insurance. This treatment plays a vital role in the first level or auxiliary care of numerous health conditions, including allergic disorders, acute and chronic poisoning, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, renal failure, and various diseases affecting the heart, blood, nervous system, endocrine system, liver, and skin.
In addition, plasmapheresis is used in the treatment of chronic infections, severe toxicosis, placental circulatory disorders during pregnancy, and as a complementary therapy in rheumatological, neurological, hematological conditions, as well as in cases of multiple organ failure.
In 2024 alone, 11,888 plasmapheresis-related medical services were provided under mandatory health insurance. These services are available upon a doctor's prescription and referral and are performed at designated state medical centers—specifically the Narimanov, Nizami, and Khatai medical centers under the Administration of Regional Medical Divisions (TABIB)—as well as at contracted private and affiliated state hospitals.
Plasmapheresis involves the separation of blood components using a specialized medical device. During this process, the blood is divided into plasma and cellular elements. The plasma, which may contain harmful substances such as toxins, viruses, bacteria, and metabolic waste, is removed, while the cleaned blood cells—erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets—are returned to the patient’s circulation.
Two primary methods are used for this procedure: membrane filtration and centrifugation. In membrane filtration, the blood is continuously processed through a separator that filters out harmful substances. In centrifugation, a specific volume of blood (usually 450–500 ml) is drawn, separated into components in a centrifuge, and the purified portion is reintroduced into the body. These procedures are generally performed on an outpatient basis, under the supervision of a transfusion specialist, and typically take over an hour to complete.
During plasmapheresis, a portion of the plasma is removed. If the volume of extracted plasma exceeds 30% of the total, the body experiences a temporary reduction in essential proteins, clotting factors, and immune-strengthening antibodies. These components usually regenerate within seven days. However, if up to 50% of the total plasma is removed, the body may not be able to restore these substances on its own, necessitating the administration of donor plasma or substitutes. Complete removal of plasma is highly dangerous, cannot be reversed by transfusion, and is only considered in life-threatening cases.
Plasmapheresis, as a highly specialized and potentially life-saving procedure, is now accessible to insured citizens through mandatory health insurance, ensuring broader access to advanced medical care when needed most.
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