It's been almost three months since Pakistan confirmed its first Coronavirus patient. Since then, our country is grappling with this highly contagious viral infection day and night. The bug causing COVID-19 is so new that the whole world is still learning ways to combat it effectively.

But finally some good news has come out of Peshawar in these stressful times as one patient from Hayatabad Medical Complex who was treated with plasma therapy has successfully recovered and is discharged from the hospital.

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This Peshawar hospital -which has dedicated plasmapheresis setup- along with several other hospitals of the country has initiated collection of plasma from the recovered Covid-19 patients as part of the national trial to reduce fatalities during the pandemic under the able leadership of head of Pakistan’s National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD), Prof. Tahir Shamsi.

Nowadays, patients infected with novel Coronavirus especially critical patients are being treated more and more with plasma therapy across the globe. This century-old technique which has been quite effective in treating several infections in the past is showing significant promise against COVID-19.

So you must be wondering how does this therapy work?

Actually the logic behind is that people who have been infected with the novel coronavirus form antibodies in a matter of few days after becoming infected. These antibodies are tailor-made by the immune system to fight off the infection and are felt to be a key component of recovery. Antibodies are of paramount significance in neutralizing the virus.

About 3-4 weeks after a person recovers, blood can be drawn to look for the coveted antibodies.
Convalescent plasma which is the liquid part of blood where the potentially life-saving COVID antibodies are present is collected from willing patients who have recovered from COVID-19. Doctors inject this plasma to hospitalized COVID patients to help them recover.

Following the recovery of patient via plasma immunization, several other patients have given their consent to become part of this trial. But the problem is limited availability of plasma donations. In light of this scenario, authorities have appealed to the public for generous blood donations.

According to HMC medical director Prof Shehzad Akbar Khan they are looking for healthy donors, who've recovered from this deadly disease. Speaking to a media outlet he said:

“Another patient, who has received plasma, is doing well. We're requesting that all the recovered patients should donate plasma to save lives of those infected with Covid-19 as it's Sadqa-i-Jaariyah that would bring perpetual blessings to the donor. Those, who have recovered from the pandemic, have been blessed with an opportunity of saving lives of others infected with the virus.”

It must be noted here that the undergoing plasma therapy trial is approved by Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan. It's made sure that hospitals observe strict protocols and guidelines set by government. As of now , the estimates of success of this treatment can't be predicted but it has surely inspired hope in authorities battling this malady across the country.