Minister takes govt official to task over plasma treatment claims

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has clarified that there was no substantial evidence backing claims that COVID-19 patients who had recovered could donate their plasma in 10 days intervals.

Fawad Chaudhry responded to a claim made by DC Islamabad Muhammed Hamza Shafqat, which he said: “If you have recovered from COVID-19 you can donate your plasma at 10-day intervals.”

“COVID-19 patients are on ventilators. Their chances of recovery are improved by 80% with this plasma treatment,” Shafqat claimed.

Fawad Chaudhry said: “There is no such research to back your claim. He said Government officials must be very careful about making such observations.”

“In the Ministry of Science and Technology, we are keeping track of international and local research. Such claims are unsubstantiated,” he added.

There is no such reserach to back your claim, Govt officials must be very careful for making such observations….in @MinistryofST we are keeping track of int and local reserach such claims are unsubstantiated https://t.co/PmHILaPJqZ

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) June 6, 2020

Earlier, while talking to a private news channel, head of the National Institute of Blood Disease & Bone Marrow Transplantation (NIBD & BMT) and hematologist, Dr Tahir Shamsi said that plasma treatment was showing positive results.

At least “120 patients have been treated through passive immunization and they have shown encouraging results,” he said.

Pakistan has confirmed 4,734 more cases from novel coronavirus in one day as positive cases surged to 93,983. 

According to the National Command and Control Center (NCOC), more than 4,734 cases of coronavirus were reported while 97 people succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours.

As many as 32,581 patients have recovered from the disease, while the country is still witnessing a consistent rise in the COVID-19 cases. More than 22,000 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours with the total number surpassing 60,500.