Opinions & Interviews

Six COVID-19 patients in Belarus show signs of recovery after donor plasma treatment

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MINSK, 24 April (BelTA) – Six out of nine COVID-19 patients have been showing signs of recovery after getting plasma from recovered patients, Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko told the media after he visited the National Research Center of Transfusiology and Medical Biotechnologies on 24 April, BelTA has learned.

“As of 23 April, nine patients got plasma of recovered patients and six of them have been showing signs of recovery,” Igor Petrishenko said. Antibodies to the virus, which form in the blood of donors as a result of the infection, help those in severe and moderate condition combat the disease.

At the government conference to discuss priority measures to ensure the sustainable operation of the economy and the social sector amid the global epidemiological situation on 23 April, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that people who had recovered from the disease could help others in treatment. “Those who have recovered are our "golden pool". These people donate their blood so that we could make plasma and treat people. The people who have recovered should be proud that they stood up rather than being afraid of people saying something about them,” the head of state said.

According to Igor Petrishenko, these are absolutely healthy people. They deserve gratitude. They have recovered and donate plasma to help others.

As of 24 April, 1,120 patients previously diagnosed with COVID-19 recovered. According to the deputy prime minister, many of them are potential plasma donors and can make their contribution to the prompt recovery of others.

Belarus has an integral donor system. The country fully meets its needs in blood and its components. The country’s laboratories are equipped on a regular basis.

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