The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) has started its clinical studies on Convalescent Plasma Transfusion as a treatment for COVID-19 patients.
The hospital study on the experimental treatment involves the use of plasma taken from the blood of recovered COVID-19 patients for transfusion to patients in the hopes that these contain neutralizing antibodies against the disease to help boost immune systems to fight off infections.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña announced during his weekly public briefing on July 3, 2020, that the state university-run hospital had started its clinical study last July 1. The study will run for one year.
“Our DoST-PCHRD is supporting the study being done by [UP-]PGH to determine whether convalescent plasma transfusion may be beneficial in the treatment of Covid-19,” de la Peña said.
The study “Convalescent Plasma as Adjunctive Therapy for Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19” will use the plasma transfusion to support the main or primary treatment of the coronavirus disease.
“For the past months, we have been mobilizing our resources and maximizing our capacities to help combat COVID-19. Through this project, we are hoping to provide supportive treatment to COVID-19 patients to avoid worst-case scenarios,” DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Jaime C. Montoya said.
“If the project proves to be successful, we can also contribute to developing a treatment that will help reduce the mortality rate of COVID-19,” the DOST official added.
The UP-PGH is calling for blood donations from COVID-19 survivors and among those who responded is actress Iza Calzado who recovered from COVID 19 in March.
Journalist Howie Severino had also said he would donate his blood for the same cause.
UP-PGH is a designated COVID-19 referral center that is also conducting studies on the use of Virgin Coconut Oil as a treatment for patients.
SEND WELL WISHES in the comments below to UP-PGH and DOST as they conduct the convalescent plasma transfusion study for COVID-19 patients.
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