THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) has warned the public against buying and selling of convalescent plasma of recovered Covid-19 patients, saying, studies have shown that it could pose serious risks to other patients, who may contract transfusion-transmissible infections such as HIV, hepatitis, and malaria.
Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood. Researchers hope that convalescent plasma (therapy) can be given to people with severe Covid-19 to boost their ability to fight the deadly respiratory virus.
But the DOH issued the warning following reports from families of critically-ill Covid patients buying convalescent plasma from recovered patients, hospital staff, or fixers. It said there are also other reports that some intentionally infect themselves so that their plasma can be donated after recovery for which they are promised remuneration.
“The DOH emphasizes that these alleged transactions and practices are illegal, reckless and dangerous. Those individuals do not only place their lives at risk, but they also put their families and communities at risk when they voluntarily get infected,” it said.
DOH said only the Philippine Blood Center and the Philippine Red Cross-Port Area are the certified non-hospital-based convalescent plasma collection facilities, while Philippine General Hospital and St. Luke’s Medical Center are the only hospitals certified to collect convalescent plasma for use in its treatment protocol.
Though used for Covid-19 treatment protocol in some local hospitals, its effectiveness as a therapy is still being evaluated and not yet part of the standard of care. To date, there is no concrete evidence to show that it is effective against SARS-Cov2, according to DOH.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque also said that trading blood and other blood products, including those from recovered Covid-19 patients, is not only illegal but highly dangerous. “Convalescent plasma (therapy) should not be for sale and should be voluntarily donated for Covid-19 patients in need,” he said. (Zamboanga Post and Mindanao Examiner.)
Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood. Researchers hope that convalescent plasma (therapy) can be given to people with severe Covid-19 to boost their ability to fight the deadly respiratory virus.
But the DOH issued the warning following reports from families of critically-ill Covid patients buying convalescent plasma from recovered patients, hospital staff, or fixers. It said there are also other reports that some intentionally infect themselves so that their plasma can be donated after recovery for which they are promised remuneration.
“The DOH emphasizes that these alleged transactions and practices are illegal, reckless and dangerous. Those individuals do not only place their lives at risk, but they also put their families and communities at risk when they voluntarily get infected,” it said.
DOH said only the Philippine Blood Center and the Philippine Red Cross-Port Area are the certified non-hospital-based convalescent plasma collection facilities, while Philippine General Hospital and St. Luke’s Medical Center are the only hospitals certified to collect convalescent plasma for use in its treatment protocol.
Though used for Covid-19 treatment protocol in some local hospitals, its effectiveness as a therapy is still being evaluated and not yet part of the standard of care. To date, there is no concrete evidence to show that it is effective against SARS-Cov2, according to DOH.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque also said that trading blood and other blood products, including those from recovered Covid-19 patients, is not only illegal but highly dangerous. “Convalescent plasma (therapy) should not be for sale and should be voluntarily donated for Covid-19 patients in need,” he said. (Zamboanga Post and Mindanao Examiner.)
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