LAHORE:
Following a rise 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, particularly in the provincial capital.
People are selling blood plasma of patients who have recovered from coronavirus for tens of thousands of rupees, The Express PAkGazette learned on Saturday.
Blood plasma or convalescent plasma is currently being tested as a possible treatment for coronavirus disease in different countries including Pakistan as it contains antibodies developed by the immune system of people who have won the battle against the virus.
Although a large number of patients overcoming 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 a donation.
A patient who wanted to sell his blood plasma after his recent recovery said, “I don’t want to make money but recover the expenses incurred in the treatment as thousands of rupees were spent on medicines, consultations and food. I think there is nothing wrong in recovering the cost while people sell their blood plasma for tens of thousands of rupees in the city.”
Other people involved in unethical trading also have their own reasons. There are thousands of posts available on social media indicating that illegal activity is being carried out openly without fear of authorities or accountability.
On June 13, a Twitter user posted her opinion on the topic: “People are making money selling their plasma to patients in Pakistan.
“Humanity is dead.” Meanwhile, many people thought there was nothing wrong with it. They commented that people also sell kidneys and blood.
In addition to blood plasma, people have requested drugs such as Remdesivir, Besimivir and other drugs considered beneficial in the treatment of coronavirus. To save the lives of their loved ones, some people have expressed their willingness to pay any amount for these scarcely available medications. In May, the National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) confirmed that the first coronavirus patient who had been treated with plasma therapy had recovered.
The sale of oxygen cylinders is also increasing on the online black market. A 6-litre cylinder along with regulator and bracket is offered for Rs 23,000, while an 8-litre variant is sold for Rs 28,000 and the 12-litre kit is available for Rs 35,000.
Speaking to The Express PAkGazette, Rashid Malik, a distributor of oxygen cylinders, highlighted that prices have tripled due to the very high demand. “Most of these cylinders are imported from China, Türkiye and Russia. On normal days, we sold 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,” he revealed.
The Ministry of National Health Services has already announced measures against illegal blood plasma trade and black marketing of life-saving drugs used for coronavirus patients in the country. Health experts warn citizens not to pay donors for blood plasma as it is still an experimental therapy.
According to the Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation Act, 2012, trade and commerce in human organs and tissues are illegal in the country.
Article 11 of the law highlights that whoever makes or receives any payment for the supply or for an offer to supply any human organ; seeks to find a person willing to supply any human organ for payment; or offers to supply any human organ in exchange for remuneration shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to ten years and with a fine of up to 1 million rupees.
Published in The Express PAkGazette, June 28th2020.
