Malaysia yet to use convalescent plasma for Covid-19 treatment

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has yet to use convalescent plasma as part of the treatment for Covid-19 infections in the country.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said more evidence was needed before the health authorities decide to adopt the treatment.

“Previously, around 12 to 13 (Covid-19) patients stepped forward to donate their blood plasma to be studied. We have 22 packs of convalescent plasma ready but we have not used them because there were not many patients in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit).

“Hopefully, we don’t need to look into its usage.

“We are looking at the concentration of the plasma where the antibody is. If we can actually accumulate the convalescent plasma from ill patients, for example, and the response of antibody is not there, then we can use convalescent plasma,” he told the daily press conference on Covid-19.

Nevertheless, Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry was monitoring the treatment possibility, like it did with hydroxychloroquine, as well as off-label medicines such as Lopinavir and Ritonavr, to treat Covid-19.

It was reported that blood plasma donated by people who have recovered from Covid-19 may contain antibodies generated by the immune system to fight or prevent future infections, although there is a lack of evidence of its efficacy.

The United States was reported to have considered using convalescent plasma for its Covid-19 treatment.

Source: NST