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PRC urges COVID-19 survivors to donate blood plasma

Philippines | National

PRC urges COVID-19 survivors to donate blood plasma

By Richa Noriega

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) appealed to qualified COVID-19 recovered patients Sunday to donate blood plasma to help in the recovery of current COVID-19 patients.

(Photo by Rodrigo ARANGUA / AFP / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

The PRC said it has provided convalescent plasma to 614 patients so far.

“Patuloy po tayong nanawagan para sa mga recovered patient po ng COVID para magbigay (blood plasma) at napakarami pa rin pong tumatawag po sa atin for convalescent plasma treatment po (We continue to call on COVID recovered patients to provide blood plasma and many are calling us for convalescent plasma treatment),” Dr. Monina Nalupta, head of PRC national blood services, told ABS-CBN Teleradyo.

Nalupta said several private companies and agencies have contacted the PRC for blood donation.

“Nagpapasalamat po tayo at continuous na nagaapela para sa pagbigay ng dugo at pinapasalamatan po natin ‘yung mga partners natin (We are grateful and continuously appeal for blood donation and we thank our partners), the PRC official said.

Medical experts at the Philippine General Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center, and the Lung Center of the Philippines are using convalescent plasma therapy to help COVID-positive patients.

Health Secretary Fracisco Duque said that convalescent plasma therapy is still being studied as a possible treatment for COVID-19.

READ MORE: DOH acts to avert buying and selling of blood plasma

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