PH Red Cross begins donation drive for plasma from healed patients of Covid-19

The officials of Philippine Red Cross will begin its donation drive for convalescent plasma from COVID-19 patients today, July 13.

Photo credit: theverge.com

Convalescent plasma is antibody-rich products that are collected from eligible donors who have recovered from COVID-19. 

According to Senator Richard Gordon, patients who have recovered from the illness and have sufficient neutralizing antibodies are urged to call the non-government organization's hotline at 143 or 09175820499 to donate blood plasma.

They must be 18 to 65 years old, and will undergo physical and medical examination, said Dr. Monina Nalupta, director of the Red Cross' National Blood Services.

"May additional tests, like aalamin po natin ang kanilang COVID-19 antibody levels kung saan dapat itong maging therapeutic para sa pasyenteng masasalinan," (There are additional tests like we will look into their COVID-19 antibody levels, which should be therapeutic for patients who will receive it.) Nalupta said in a report.

Nalupta added that not all COVID-19 patients will be qualified, it will depend on the antibody levels of a Covid survivor, it is to make ensure that those with the illness will recover through the use of antibodies. The Red Cross began its donation initiative by getting blood plasma from frontliners who contracted the disease and expects up to 20 donations per day.

Gordon said that it's a big help for those who are hoping to recover and that "hope" is really important.

The World Health Organization earlier said plasma transfusion can serve as a boost to the patient’s immunity.

An interim guidance document released by the WHO in March noted that convalescent plasma or plasma from a recovered patient “may be a potentially useful treatment for COVID-19." However, it also warned of the need to run a detailed risk assessment to ensure the safety of the process.

The Philippine General Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital have already started their respective convalescent plasma program for COVID-19 patients.

The Philippines as of today, July 13, logged 56,259 coronavirus cases, of whom 1,534 have died while 16,046 have recovered.