Indonesian Red Cross in Need of Convalescent Plasma Donations
Translator
Editor
21 June 2021 11:13 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The South Tangerang Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) on Sunday said that it needs more convalescent plasma donations with high antibody levels to meet the growing demands for convalescent plasma treatment.
The South Tangerang Red Cross Chairperson Suhara Manulang encouraged Covid-19 survivors to donate their blood to help meet this demand. The red cross branch he leads is one of the few that are authorized to collect the crucial element for the therapy.
“Convalescent plasma is urgently needed since not every PMI branch is authorized to take and process the donors,” said Manulang on Sunday, June 20. He noted that many requests for supplies came into his office.
“The surge in cases is everywhere and not just in South Tangerang. The entire Indonesian region needs them, there are up to 20 requests from various groups,” he added.
The soaring demands has caused the South Tangerang PMI to use a waiting list system to handle the lack of supplies. He explained many Covid-19 survivors that have completely recovered failed to pass the general health checkup, which mainly involves not having sufficient antibody levels.
Read: COVID-19 Vaccines Used in Indonesia Have Been Tested: Health Ministry
MUHAMMAD KURNIANTO (CONTRIBUTOR)