Lahore:
Following a spike in confirmed coronavirus cases and a significant increase in the number of patients recovering, a black market for blood plasma has emerged across the country, especially in the provincial capital.
People are selling blood plasma to patients who have recovered from coronavirus for tens of thousands of rupees, The Express Tribune learned on Saturday.
Blood plasma or convalescent plasma is currently being trialled as a potential treatment for coronavirus disease in various countries, including Pakistan, because it contains antibodies developed by the immune system of people who have won the battle against the virus.
Although a large number of patients who have overcome the disease are willing to donate plasma for free, some black sheep are using popular social media platforms to contact critically ill coronavirus patients seeking to donate.
A patient who wanted to sell his blood plasma after being cured recently said, “I don’t want to make money but I want to recover the expenses I incurred on treatment as I spent thousands of rupees on medicines, consultations and food. I think there is no harm in recovering the cost when people are selling blood plasma for tens of thousands of rupees in the city.” .
Other people involved in unethical trading also have their own reasons. Thousands of posts are available on social media indicating that illegal activity occurs openly without fear of law enforcement agencies or accountability.
On June 13, a Twitter user posted her thoughts on the issue: “People are making money by selling plasma to patients in Pakistan.
Humanity has died.” Meanwhile, many people saw that there was nothing wrong with that. They commented that people were selling kidneys and blood as well.
In addition to blood plasma, people have announced their requirements for medicines such as Remdesivir, Besemvir and other medicines considered useful in treating the Corona virus. To save the lives of their loved ones, some people have expressed their willingness to pay any amount for these rare medicines. In May, the National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) confirmed that the first coronavirus patient treated with plasma had recovered.
The sale of oxygen cylinders is also on the rise on the online black market. A 6-litre cylinder with regulator and stand is offered for Rs 23,000, while an 8-litre version sells for Rs 28,000 and a 12-litre equipment is available for Rs 35,000.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, oxygen cylinder dealer, Rashid Malik, confirmed that prices have increased three-fold due to extremely high demand. “These cylinders are mostly imported from China, Turkey and Russia. On normal days, we would sell a 12-litre cylinder for Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 and a 6-litre cylinder for Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000.”
The Ministry of National Health Services has already announced action against illicit trade in blood plasma and black marketing of life-saving medicines used for coronavirus patients in the country. Health experts are warning citizens against paying donors for blood plasma because it is still an experimental treatment.
According to the Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation Act of 2012, commercial dealing and trafficking in human organs and tissues is illegal in the country.
Section 11 of the law states that anyone who pays or receives any sum in exchange for supplying or offering to supply any human organ; Seeks to find someone willing to supply any human organ for payment; Or offering to provide any human organ in exchange for a sum shall be punishable by imprisonment for a period which may extend to 10 years and a fine of up to one million rupees.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28y2020.