By Nayak Paudel
Kathmandu, Aug. 5: Authorities have decided to allow 12 hospitals across the country to conduct treatment of COVID-19 patients through convalescent plasma therapy.
The decision came following a successful treatment of a 60-year-old COVID-19 patient at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj on Thursday.
When an individual recovers from a virus, the antibodies produced in the individual’s body remain in the plasma for a certain period. Doctors then extract the convalescent plasma from the recovered individual and transfuse it into the patient suffering from the virus. The suffering patient now has antibodies to fight against the virus.
After the successful treatment and the basis of research being conducted over treatment through convalescent plasma therapy, the Nepal Health Research Council on Tuesday revealed that 12 hospitals – eight government and four private – are allowed to conduct the treatment by convalescent plasma therapy.
“A successful treatment was reported at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital and we also conducted necessary research about the treatment. We then held consultations with the Health Ministry and decided to allow the treatment in 12 hospitals,” Dr. Pradip Gyanwali, executive chief at National Health Research Council, told The Rising Nepal.
As per the decision by the authorities, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Narayani Hospital, Dhulikhel Hospital, Bharatpur Hospital, Bheri Provincial Hospital, Nepalgunj Medical College, Seti Provincial Hospital, Grande International Hospital, HAMS Hospital and Mediciti Hospital got the permission to apply the treatment.
According to the Health Research Council, the hospitals will have to follow a guideline prepared to treat patients with plasma therapy and the Council will be supervising the treatment in the hospitals.
“The Council will be in regular contact with the hospitals conducting treatment through plasma therapy. The hospitals will have to follow a guideline and conduct the treatment cautiously,” said Gyanwali.
Similarly, the hospitals will only be allowed to conduct treatment of COVID-19 patients in critical conditions or those admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Likewise, the hospitals will have to take consent of the patient before conducting the treatment.
“The patients will be asked if they will like to receive treatment through plasma therapy. Only if a patient accepts, the hospital will conduct the treatment,” Gyanwali added.
Authorities have also requested the recovered patients to donate plasma and help in the treatment of other patients.
“The treatment of COVID-19 patients through plasma therapy is being conducted under trial in multiple countries. Moreover, the therapy is being used for treatment for many years and in many cases. We anticipate positive results as we have allowed the treatment,” said Gyanwali.
Nevertheless, the Council will be analysing the results of the treatment conducted through plasma therapy and take necessary decisions about the treatment process.