Passive immunisation has turned out to be the most beneficial treatment against the virus that has coronavirus. But it cannot help patients directly unless there are enough donations of plasma from the recovered patients.
Sindh has been leading in terms of plasma donations and clinical trials, but Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa has been having a difficult time making the recovered patients donate their blood plasma.
Express Tribune reported that the province has not received any voluntary donors. KP's largest hospital, Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) signed an agreement with the National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) in Karachi for receiving donations but air travel was restricted soon after, in April.
So far, two patients have completely recovered after receiving plasma therapy. These patients, according to Dr. Shahzad Akbar, Medical Director HMC, received the Convalescent plasma therapy. While the evidence is sketchy, the use of plasma may have served as a potent medical weapon during the 1918 flu pandemic.
Dr. Shahzad has also made a nationwide appeal for help, making a case for the plasma donations being a huge breakthrough in dealing with COVID-19 positive patients. He has also made personal requests to NIBD and the Civil Aviation Authority to help transport the blood plasma to KP.
Many survivors are offering their plasma, but through different channels, some of which are online, and for money. Recovered patients have been selling their blood plasma for as much as Rs. 0.2-0.5 million on social media.
Sindh has been leading in terms of plasma donations and clinical trials, but Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa has been having a difficult time making the recovered patients donate their blood plasma.
Express Tribune reported that the province has not received any voluntary donors. KP's largest hospital, Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) signed an agreement with the National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) in Karachi for receiving donations but air travel was restricted soon after, in April.
So far, two patients have completely recovered after receiving plasma therapy. These patients, according to Dr. Shahzad Akbar, Medical Director HMC, received the Convalescent plasma therapy. While the evidence is sketchy, the use of plasma may have served as a potent medical weapon during the 1918 flu pandemic.
Dr. Shahzad has also made a nationwide appeal for help, making a case for the plasma donations being a huge breakthrough in dealing with COVID-19 positive patients. He has also made personal requests to NIBD and the Civil Aviation Authority to help transport the blood plasma to KP.
Many survivors are offering their plasma, but through different channels, some of which are online, and for money. Recovered patients have been selling their blood plasma for as much as Rs. 0.2-0.5 million on social media.