DHAKA: The Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) collected plasma from a doctor, who recovered from Covid-19, for the first time in the hospital on Saturday (May 16) to explore therapy options to treat patients.

Prof M A Khan, chief of the national technical subcommittee for the plasma treatment and also head of DMCH’s bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit and department of haematology, confirmed the matter this morning.

Plasma therapy, earlier, was used for the first time for a patient admitted at the Ever Care Hospital in Dhaka on May 6.  DMCH’s Dr Joardar Rakin Manzoor was the first to donate plasma.

On April 17, the national technical subcommittee was formed for the plasma treatment under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

On April 28, the blood transfusion department at the DMCH decided to explore the convalescent plasma therapy option to treat Covid-19 patients and was directed by DGHS to supervise other hospitals across the country in this regard.

Besides, the DMCH authorities have urged all recovered patients to donate plasma so that it can be used for the treatment and recovery of critical patients.

BDST: 1211 HRS, MAY 16, 2020
SMS