Some COVID-19 survivors resort to selling plasma as coronavirus affects jobs and livelihood

A front liner posted in social media that she was desperately looking for plasma to help her brother-in-law who was infected with the virus. She worked for the Cebu City government, giving assistance to those who had tested positive for COVID-19 in their barangay.

Photo credit: latimes.com

Shortly, she herself showed symptoms of the virus and eventually tested positive for coronavirus. Although she had since recovered, her father had contracted the virus and unfortunately passed away.

After her father died, her sister and her sister's husband also contracted the virus.

Because her brother-in-law was already in a critical condition, the doctor advised them to look for a plasma donor. 

Plasma from COVID-19 survivors is being used to treat positive patients since it contains antibodies that have the potential to fight off the virus.

After posting about her family’s need on Facebook, she received messages from alleged plasma donors. One person said that he was willing to give his plasma, but for a price. He was asking for Php. 50,000. Another person was asking for Php. 30,000. However, when she started to inquire about the test results, no details were given so the transaction was cancelled.

The price of plasma in Cebu ranges from Php20,000 to Php80,000 according to the Department of Health Region 7.

There are a lot of recovered cases in Cebu city and in Sitio Zapatera is where allegedly transactions of plasma selling has occurred as claimed by DOH Region 7. 

Due to the pandemic, a lot of people has been affected in many ways. Suspected COVID-19 survivors who lost their livelihood or jobs may have taken advantage of their situation and turned to selling their blood to cope up with their needs. However, local authorities of Sitio Zapatera have denied that such plasma trade has been going on inside their community.

People have become desperate that’s why they have turned to selling their plasma, said DOH Region 7 Chief Pathologist Dr. Mary Jane Loreche. She added that if this kind of transaction continued, their voluntary blood donation program would die. Worse, it could create a system where plasma would be available only to the rich or those who could pay for it.

She also said that under the Republic Act No. 7719 or the National Voluntary Blood Services Act, buying or selling one’s own blood is a punishable act.

Loreche pleas to everyone not to make blood or plasma donation a way to earn money. It’s more important to show our concern for our countrymen and help one other.