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An illustrative image related to: Illegal plasma sale thrives in Lahore, highlighting key aspects of the story. | Image source: The Express Tribune
Illegal plasma sale thrives in Lahore
facebook --> twitter --> whatsup --> linkded --> email MORE (3) Messenger Whatsapp --> LAHORE: Following a spike in confirmed coronavirus cases and a significant raise in the number of patients recovering, a black arena of blood plasma has emerged across the nation, particularly in the provincial resources. Individuals are selling blood plasma of the patients who have recovered from coronavirus for tens of thousands of rupees, The Express Tribune learnt on Saturday. The blood plasma or convalescent plasma is currently being trialled as a possible treatment for coronavirus illness in different countries, including Pakistan, as it contains antibodies developed by the immune framework of individuals who have won the battle against the virus. Though a sizable number of patients overcoming the illness are willing to donate plasma free of allegation, some black sheep are using popular social media platforms to contact critically ill coronavirus patients seeking donation. A patient who wanted to sell his blood plasma after his recent recovery said, “I don’t want to gain money still to recover my expenses incurred on the treatment since thousands of rupees were spent on medicines, consultation and food. I believe there is no injury in recovering the charge while individuals are selling their blood plasma for tens of thousands of rupees in the urban.” Other individuals involved in the unethical exchange plus have their own reasons. Thousands of posts are available on social media indicating that the illegal activity is happening openly without the dread of statute enforcing agencies or accountability. On June 13, a Twitter user posted her thoughts on the question: “Individuals are making money by selling their plasma to patients in Pakistan. Humanity is dead.” Simultaneously, many individuals were of the perspective that there was nothing wrong with it. They commented that individuals plus sell kidneys and blood. Besides blood plasma, individuals have posted requirement for medicines such as Remdesivir, Besimivir and other drugs considered beneficial in coronavirus treatment. To store the lives of their loved ones, some individuals have expressed their willingness to compensate any quantity for these scarcely available drugs. In May, the National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) confirmed that the first coronavirus patient who had been treated with plasma therapy had recovered. The transaction of oxygen cylinders is plus on the climb in the online black arena. A 6-litre cylinder along with regulator and stand is being offered for Rs23,000, while an 8-litre variant is being sold for Rs28,000 and 12-litre equipment is available for Rs35,000. Speaking to The Express Tribune, an oxygen cylinder dealer, Rashid Malik, highlighted that the prices has increased three-fold owing to very high need. “Mostly these cylinders are being imported from China, Turkey and Russia. In normal days, we were selling a 12-litre cylinder for Rs12,000 to Rs15,000 and 6-litre for Rs6,000 to Rs7,000,” he disclosed. The Ministry of National Health Services has already announced measure against illegal trading of blood plasma and black marketing of life-saving drugs used for coronavirus patients in the nation. Health specialists are alert residents not to compensate donors for blood plasma since it is still an experimental therapy. As per the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Perform 2012, commercial dealing and exchange of human organs and tissues is illegal in the nation. Section 11 of the statute highlights that whoever makes or receives any remittance for the share of, or for an proposal to share, any human organ; seeks to discover a individual willing to share for remittance of any human organ; or offers to share any human organ for remittance shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may stretch to 10 years and with fine of up to Rs1 million. Published in The Express Tribune, June 28 th , 2020. COMMENTS
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