PHC bans unauthorised plasma transfusion

Only hospitals approved by experts’ panel are allowed to offer treatment

LAHORE: The Punjab Healthcare Commission on Monday banned unauthorised plasma transfusion to Covid-19 patients.

The commission allowed plasma transfusion only in hospitals which had been approved by the Coronavirus Experts Advisory Group (CEAG). According to a letter issued to all public and private hospitals, only those healthcare establishments were allowed to carry out plasma transfusion which had been allowed to do so by the CEAG.

The clinical trials for transfusion of plasma from Covid-19 recovered patients were still underway, and its efficacy was yet to be authenticated.

However, certain public and private hospitals, which were not registered for the trial, had been found prescribing plasma treatment to patients without following any protocols, which was tantamount to malpractice. “Transfusion of plasma from Covid-19 recovered patients by hospitals without permission from the CEAG comes under the definition of malpractice,” maintains the PHC in its letter.

It warned of strict action under the PHC Act against any hospital or consultant found involved in the illegal practice of Covid-19 plasma transfusion without approval of the CEAG.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2020.