By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Tribune OnlineTribune OnlineTribune Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Columns
  • Editorial
  • VIDEOS
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • Health
  • Opinions
  • SPORTING TRIBUNE
Reading: FG working to use plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients’s blood for treatment
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Tribune OnlineTribune Online
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Columns
  • Editorial
  • VIDEOS
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • Health
  • Opinions
  • SPORTING TRIBUNE
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Advertise
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2025 African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc.. All Rights Reserved.
Latest NewsTop News

FG working to use plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients’s blood for treatment

Ifedayo Ogunyemi
June 14, 2020
Share
FG launches optimised SCALES strategy to address COVID-19 vaccination gaps, Obaseki's former CoS condemns attacks on Obende, Ehanire at APC convention, MPCDSR is to curb maternal child deaths , FG signs MOU for national emergency medical service operation, universal health coverage will elude Nigerians, medical equipment worth $1million from Saudi Arabia, Health workers demand payment of withheld salaries, FG regrets underutilisation, doctors corp members, eligible hospitals, health, Safe blood covid-19, Nigeria coronavirus budget, PTF, doctors, COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria, Nigeria requires N1.89 trillion to defeat malaria by 2025
Dr Osagie Ehanire, Health Minister (FILE PHOTO)
SHARE

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on Sunday said the Federal Government is working on a research which aims to use plasma from the blood of recovered coronavirus (COVID-19) patients to treat other infected persons.

Tribune Online reports that Ehanire said this while answering questions from journalists in Abuja on the possibility of using plasma of recovered COVID-19 patients to treat serious cases.

The minister, who spoke at a news conference to commemorate the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD), said some research institutes were already working on the new research.

According to him, plasma of patients recovered from COVID-19 is called convalescent plasma.

“It is believed that persons who suffered COVID-19 and have recovered will have antibody inside their plasma, which can be used to treat others.

“It can be used to treat others who are not able to build antibody fast-enough or those who are suffering from a severe form of the virus.

“Yes, our research centres are participating in looking at what advantages and benefits can come out of convalescent plasma.

“I have seen this particular research in Lagos; it is part of what will be studied and the result will be published so research is going on it.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the approach was used by Guinea during the Ebola epidemic in 2014, prior to the availability of Ebola vaccines and therapies.

Also, in Mauritius, 150 people who have recovered from COVID-19 have indicated they are willing to give plasma in line with the national decision to use serum plasma therapy for COVID-19 patients in intensive care.

The minister, however, urged Nigerians to donate blood to save lives of those in need, adding that people should shun some myths surrounding blood donation.

ALSO READ: 4 Americans, 2 Indians, 2 Poles, 1 Brazilian among 48 patients discharged in Lagos

“Myths are part of ignorance that education should fight and stakeholders are supposed to enlighten people on this issue, that your blood is something that can save somebody life.

“The blood is regenerated in your system; your body is stimulated to replace that blood donated in your system.

“It is filled in such a way that a man can donate four times in a year while women can donate up to three times a year, provided they are tested fit.

“They can donate provided they are free of any sickness and provided they will not suffer any disadvantage from donating the blood,’’ he said.

He said that the ministry had been creating awareness on the need to donate, saying “donating blood provides availability of safe blood at hospitals and where they are needed.

“Nobody knows who will be in need of blood at any time so we have been embarking on media campaign and awareness creation to increase the number of voluntary donors in the country.’’

According to him, the ministry attached great importance to the celebration of the World Blood Donor Day, globally celebrated on June 14 and has to redesign the activities to mark the day during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We still have to go ahead and mark the day following the guideline of wearing our facemask and observing physical distancing.

“Giving blood is like giving life. Blood is life, you are helping someone to save his life; it should be your joy that you are helping when you donate blood.’’

Ehanire, however, thanked all the voluntary blood donors in the country for their efforts and sacrifice of donating blood.

Also at the event, Mr Nathan John, who is adjudged the highest blood donor in the country, expressed happiness for the opportunity to donate his blood to assist those in need.

“I have been donating blood for the past 15 years. I donate four times in a year and I have donated 63 units of blood during the period.

“I am happy doing this, each time I do it, I sleep very well; there is no side effect in my body. In fact, I feel healthier and better,” John told NAN.

In his remarks, Mr Kinsley Odiabara, Director, National Laboratory Manager, National Blood Transfusion Service, also thanked regular blood donors, especially the youth for donating blood to save lives.

Odiabara also urged other youths to embrace voluntary blood donation for the country to meet up with the World Health Organisation (WHO) stipulation.

WHO stipulates that at least one per cent of the population must be able to donate blood regularly to be able to meet up with blood need of a country.

He also commended the minister for taking lead in presenting the Bill to establish a National Blood Service Commission to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The legislative process of the Bill for the establishment of a National Blood Service Commission is at an advanced stage and awaiting a public hearing at the National Assembly. (NAN)


WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV

  • Back to School, Back to Business A Fresh Start

  • Relationship Hangout: Public vs Private Proposals – Which Truly Wins in Love?

  • “No” Is a Complete Sentence: Why You Should Stop Feeling Guilty

  • Relationship Hangout: Friendship Talk 2025 – How to Be a Good Friend & Big Questions on Friendship

  • Police Overpower Armed Robbers in Ibadan After Fierce Struggle


    Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more.
    Join our WhatsApp Channel now


Share This Article
Facebook Email Print
ByIfedayo Ogunyemi
Ifedayo O. Ogunyemi‎ Senior Reporter, Nigerian Tribune ogunyemiifedayo@gmail.com
Previous Article Ondo East LG to inaugurate Ondo, Bola bolawale Ondo State People are wiser – Ondo Political Awareness Group says
Next Article Include herdsmen in conditional, Straying cow kills 3-month-old, Cattle dealers, Herdsmen, Kwara issues seven-day ultimatum, 107 not 4000 herdsmen, herdsmen, Benue, Kogi, MIYETTI,cattle herders in Anambra, Herder-farmers’ conflict, law banning open grazing in Ebonyi Suspected herdsmen kill three in Benue ― Police

Frontpage Today

Subscribe to e-Paper

E-Vending, e paper, pdf, e-paper, Tribune
WOMEN

Xquisite
Xquisite Food
Xquisite Style
Wondrous World of Women

MORE

Business Coach
Education
Event Digest
Crime & Court
Do It Yourself
Ecoscope
Property & Environment
Energy
Maritime
Aviation
Brands & Marketing
Agriculture
Info Tech
Labour
Leadership & Management
Achievers
Arewa Live
Arts & Culture
Arts & Reviews
Campus Beat
Politics
Health News
MORE

Mum & Child
Natural Health
Sexuality & Health
Special Report
Sports
Tourism
Travelpulse & MICE
Tribune Business
Weekend Lagos
Youth Speak
Book Review
Thursday Tales
EDITORIAL

Editorial
Opinion
Letters
News Extra

BUSINESS

Capital Market
Money Market
Economy

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday Treat
Entertainment
Razzmattaz

REGIONS

South West
Niger Delta
Arewa

RELIGION

Tribune Church
Church News
Muslim Sermon
Eye of Islam
Islamic News

COLUMNS

Anike's Diary
Aplomb
Ask The Doctor
Autoclinic With The Mechanic
Awo's Thought
Borderless
Crucial Moment
Empowered For Life
Festus Adebayo's Flickers
Financewise
Gibbers
Intimacy
Language & Style
Leaders' Forum
Leadership & Management
Lynx Eye
Monday Lines
Mum & Child
Natural Health
Notes from Atlanta with Farooq Kperogi
On The Lord's Day
PENtagon
Political Panorama
Veritatem With Obadiah Mailafia
Voice of Courage
Whatsapp Conversation
You and Eye
Your Life Counts

© 2025 African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?