Combating coronavirus: Recovered Covid patients can donate blood plasma in 3 new clinics in Dubai

Dubai has launched three clinics where recovered Covid patients can donate their blood for the plasma therapy of those battling the infection, health authorities announced.
One donor can give up to three dosages, which can save two to three lives.
The Dubai Health Authority, along with other public health entities in the country, has started using the blood plasma of recovered patients as part of the treatment in critical Covid-19 cases.
Dr Younis Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Healthcare Corporation at the DHA, said the convalescent plasma therapy can speed up the recovery of patients by 85 to 90 per cent.
The plasma of patients who have completely recovered from Covid-19 is rich in antibodies that can fight off the virus when it is  transfused  into another Covid-19 patient, he explained.
How the donation process works
"The blood plasma is collected from a recovered Covid -19 patient, who has passed 14 days since recovery and had two consecutive negative results for coronavirus by PCR," Dr Kazim said.
"A final test will be conducted after he completes this period before the patient can donate blood plasma. Those with chronic disease and patients who suffered from severe symptoms when they had the virus will be excluded from donation."
Dr Mai Raouf, director of the Dubai Blood Donation Centre, said that 600ml of plasma is collected from each patient who has developed antibodies.
It is then divided into three therapeutic dosages, each is 200ml. These plasmas will then be used to help the recovery of Covid patients with medium to severe cases.
She added that the convalescent plasma therapy is being performed based on two protocols approved by the DHA's ethical and scientific committee. Each is used depending on the patient's case.
The authority hopes that the number of convalescent plasma donations by recovered patients will increase after the establishment of these clinics in order to help treat as many patients possible.
This move comes after health government entities in the country announced last month that it will be using convalescent plasma therapy, after international medical results have found that they were effective.
Dr Kazim added that the DHA will also be introducing stem cell therapy to its treatment protocols, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre, after receiving approvals and once laws and precautionary guidelines are introduced.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com