DMCH collects plasma from recovered Covid-19 patients for experimental treatment

The Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Saturday collected plasma from two recently recovered Covid-19 patients to conduct Convalescent Plasma Therapy, an experimental treatment method for the novel coronavirus infection.

Both of the donors are physicians – Dr Dildar Hossain from the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital and Dr Piyash from Sir Salimullah Medical College.

MA Khan, professor of the DMCH Haematology Department and chief of the Expert Committee on Plasma Therapy Application in Bangladesh, confirmed the matter to media.

"The plasma collected from recovered patients will be given to the infected ones within a week."

Initially, 45 patients currently admitted at DMCH will be given the plasma therapy, which according to Dr Khan works best before a patient moves into the Intensive care unit (ICU).

"From now on, plasma collection will continue," he added.

Although three doctors were scheduled to give their plasma on Saturday, only that of two physicians could be collected. Plasma from recovered ATN News journalist Ashiqur Rahman is scheduled to be collected on Sunday.

In Convalescent Plasma Therapy, plasma is taken from the blood of a formerly-infected and fully recovered Covid-19 patient. This plasma contains IGG (Immunoglobulin G) antibodies that can help infected patients fight the virus.