Sharing Antibodies to Fight Pandemic

KOMPAS/TATANG MULYANA SINAGA

Blood samples of convalescent plasma donors were taken at the Indonesian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Unit (PMI) Bandung City, West Java, Tuesday (19/1/2021). If it meets the criteria, a convalescent plasma donor can be done one to two days later.

Richard Harefa, 27, has covered a distance of around 70 kilometers by travel service car from Purwakarta to Bandung, West Java, to donate his plasma to Covid-19 patients. He wanted to share for the recovery of fellow citizens.

On Tuesday noon (19/1/2021), for almost an hour Richard clenched his fist, allowing his blood to flow into a machine. From the machine 500 cc of plasma, a blood component, came out. The pale-yellow liquid contains antibodies of the Covid-19 survivor that can speed up the recovery of patients. In convalescent plasma therapy, the blood plasma of recovered patients is given to Covid-19 patients.

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“It doesn’t any different from an ordinary blood donation. It only takes longer due to the process of blood plasma separation,” said the man from Nias, North Sumatra.

Richard, a male nurse in one of the hospitals in Purwakarta, was infected with Covid-19 in the middle of October 2020. After recovering, he was eager to help people striving to fight the disease.

It doesn’t any different from an ordinary blood donation.

“As I’ve got the chance to recover, it means I’m tasked with helping other people recover. Among other ways is to share convalescent plasma,” he said.

KOMPAS/TATANG MULYANA SINAGA

Covid-19 survivors squeeze a rubber ball while donating convalescent plasma at the Indonesian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Unit (PMI) Bandung City, West Java, Tuesday (19/1/2021). Convalescent plasma is needed to help cure Covid-19 patients.

Guntur Septapati, 44, a doctor in Al Islam Hospital, Bandung, also donated his plasma. “I don’t know yet to whom this blood plasma will be given. Hopefully it can help whoever is battling for recovery from Covid-19,” he said.

In November, he had to isolate himself for almost three weeks after being infected with Covid-19. He felt greater pain as he witnessed the virulence of Covid-19 that claimed the lives of his peers, patients and neighbors.

Convalescent plasma donor service has been opened by the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), Bandung, since October 2020. According to Head of PMI Bandung’s Information Technology and Public Relations Subdivision, Budi Wandina, until the end of December, more than 50 Covid-19 survivors made donations. The number was still very small compared to over 6,000 survivors in Bandung.

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“The demand for convalescent plasma is very high. Within hours, newly donated plasma is already distributed to a number of hospitals in Bandung,” he said.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Cirebon Regent Imron Rosyadi donated his plasma for Covid-19 patients, Monday (18/1/2021), at the Indonesian Red Cross Office, Cirebon Regency, West Java. As a Covid-19 survivor, Imron invites other survivors to donate plasma to help cure Covid-19 patients with severe and critical conditions.

Invitation to donate

In order to invite survivors to share their plasma, Cirebon Regent Imron Rosyadi also donated his plasma at the PMI Cirebon office on Monday (18/1). Within an hour and 15 minutes’ transfusion, Imron accumulated 625 cc. “Covid-19 still has no cure. So, let’s share with fellow patients,” appealed Imron in announcing the National Movement of Convalescent Plasma Donors.

Imron contracted Covid-19 in December. He was the 89th survivor to donate his plasma to Covid-19 patients. Since October 2020, the PMI of Cirebon regency has applied convalescent plasma therapy. Every survivor can donate 400-600 cc of blood plasma. The need is around 200 cc per patient.

People imitate their leaders. If their leaders set good examples, God willing, they will follow suit.

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil encourages regional heads and public official who are Covid-19 survivors to donate blood plasma. “People imitate their leaders. If their leaders set good examples, God willing, they will follow suit,” he said.

Kurdin, 42, a healthcare worker in Waled Regional General Hospital, Cirebon, feels the benefit of plasma therapy. The father of five was once treated for over a month after being tested positive for Covid-19. He was even taken to the intensive care unit as his condition worsened. The doctor suggested that he use a ventilator.

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Now after recovering, Kurdin is keen on sharing plasma with people in need. To date, he has twice donated his plasma.

Ten months has elapsed, the pandemic storm has not yet shown signs of subsiding. While awaiting the efficacy of vaccination, the willingness of survivors to donate blood plasma raises the hope for speedy recovery.

This article was translated by Aris Prawira.