Saudi Arabia Could Be Getting Closer To Finding A Treatment For COVID-19

The nation has joined other countries in the race to find a cure for the novel coronavirus

Saudi Arabia is conducting advanced clinical studies, in partnership with the World Health Organization, to monitor the effects of plasma therapy as a potential treatment for the novel coronavirus.

Plasma is the liquid part of the blood that carries cells and proteins throughout the body. Blood components are taken from eligible volunteers (who have recovered from COVID-19) in order for tests to be done to see if their plasma could potentially be used to treat individuals infected with the virus.

According to About Her upon approval from the Ministry of Health and the Saudi Food and Drugs Authority, researchers began extracting plasma from recovered patients. Over 20 medical centers have come together to work on the study which consist of 21 experts in immunology, hematology, infectious diseases, intensive care and blood transfusion.

Before recovered patients can volunteer for the study they must undergo thorough medical checks prior to the blood transfusion process.

According to Dr. Hani Al-Hashimi, director of the Oncology Center at King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Dammam, the team can start extracting plasma from recovered volunteer patients after they have completed 14 days in quarantine at home and have two ‘negative’ coronavirus test results.

Other nations, including the United Arab Emirates, have also been clinically trailing plasma therapy and studying the effectiveness of various drugs such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as potential treatment options for those affected, according to Arabian Business. 

For more information on the study visit plasmaforcovid.com.

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