Only UP-PGH is allowed to do plasma therapy —DOH official

The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital is the only health institution in the country allowed to conduct convalescent plasma therapy to treat COVID-19 patients, a top official of the Department of Health said Saturday.

“Ito pong convalescent plasma therapy na sinasabi, ang UP-PGH lang po ang may approved protocol to do this,” Health Undersecretary Mario Rosario Vergeire said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

The UP-PGH, as of Friday, said that a total of 19 survivors donated blood for the collection of plasma after weeks of urging COVID-19 survivors to donate blood. 

But it requires donors to be at least two weeks asymptomatic and fully recovered, among other criteria.

Plasma from the blood of a recovered COVID-19 patient contains antibodies, proteins produced by the body to neutralize or destroy toxins or disease-carrying organisms.

When infused into a patient still battling the disease, it can potentially help fight the virus. It has been reportedly used in China and South Korea.

“Meron silang nire-report na maganda pero di enough evidence para masabi na ito ay talagang epektibo,” Vergeire said.

PGH renewed its call for blood donations to help save patients while a medicine is not yet available.

If you are a COVID-19 survivor who fits the criteria for donors, you may call 0917 805 3207 (Look for Dr. Sandy Maganto) or PGH Hotline, 155-200. —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News