States start plasma therapy trials, HCQ administration in War Covid

Plasma therapy trials have already started in some states — like Maharashtra, UP and Madhya Pradesh — though on a very small scale involving only one or a couple of patients. The use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets as a preventive measure for front-line healthcare workers, and on patients and their contacts, also has started in some states.

Other states and UTs are either awaiting approval from the ICMR or have got approval but have not yet started administering plasma from infected patients who have since recovered. In Maharashtra, just one patient has been on plasma treatment since this week, while the state is starting HCQ tablets for everyone on the frontline of the battle against Covid-19.

BMC has already distributed 7 lakh HCQS tablets among hospitals and Covid care centres in the last 15 days. On Wednesday, state health minister Rajesh Tope said more centres in the state would be roped in once they meet ICMR guidelines