The separation from life at the age of 53 of the famous Albanian sculptor, Arben Bajo, again brought to attention the use of blood plasma as a way to fight Covid-19. Shortly before he died, friends and family of Bajo, infected with Covid-19, called for plasma donors from people who had previously passed the virus. In an interview with ABC News, Arben Ivanaj, hematologist and former Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection, said:
"[Blood plasma] is a technique that has given results, but results which are expected to be reconfirmed in more reliable studies. It is possible to use plasma treatment of infected patients who have antibodies to Covid-19. "
He added that the use of plasma is not a new method:
“We use plasma every day; plasma is used by all our hospitals without exception. It is not a difficult technique. What needs to be done before using plasma is to measure the antibody titer. To have the highest possible antibody titer in the donor plasma. "
He went on to say that "it is not a technique that has ensured therapeutic reliability", however "it remains one of the techniques used in the treatment of diseases that do not have recommended treatment". Ivanaj stressed that illusions should not be created that plasma is being used, the patient has a safe recovery. "Let's not create illusions, because even where plasma was used, mortality from Covid-19 was not lower."
At the end of July, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection approved the protocols that allowed serological tests to be performed in private clinics as well. Serological tests are blood tests that focus on plasma and blood elements to see if a person has been infected with the coronavirus to then reach the antibodies. Ongoing studies say that the use of plasma may be beneficial for Covid-19 as well, however there are many questions and it still remains an evolving curative method.
