He added that a number of specialised doctors from the DHA have put in place protocols for using convalescent plasma therapy based on international standards. They have also outlined rules and guidelines to specify who can make based plasma donations and who is eligible to receive this treatment.

Doctors believe the plasma of patients who have completely recovered from COVID-19 is rich in antibodies that can fight off the virus. When such plasma is injected into another person with the disease, it will recognise the virus as something to attack.

He added that the US Food and Drug Administration revealed that it was scientifically proven that the use of convalescent plasma therapy helped speed the recovery of COVID-19 patients decreasing the number of days they spend in the hospital.

Adopting this treatment method further supports DHA’s preventive and treatment efforts to combat COVID-19 at a time when its medical cadres are working hard to provide the best treatment services to contain and treat the disease, so that people can go back to their normal lives.

© Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2020.