LAHORE:
Following a surge in confirmed coronavirus cases and a significant increase in the number of recovering patients, a blood plasma black market has emerged across the country, particularly in the provincial capital.
People are selling the blood plasma of recovered coronavirus patients for tens of thousands of rupees, The Express Tribune 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 systems of people who have won the battle against the virus.
Although a large number of recovered patients are willing to donate their plasma for free, some black sheep are using popular social media platforms to contact seriously ill coronavirus patients wishing to donate.
A patient who wanted to sell his blood plasma after his recent recovery said, “I don’t want to earn money but recover my expenses incurred for the treatment as thousands of rupees were spent on medicines, consultations and food. I think there is no harm in recovering the cost when people are selling their blood plasma for tens of thousands of rupees in the city.
Other people involved in this unethical trade also have their own reasons. Thousands of posts are available on social media indicating that illegal activities are taking place openly, without fear of law enforcement or accountability.
On June 13, a Twitter user posted her thoughts on the issue: “People are making money by selling their plasma to patients in Pakistan.
Humanity is dead. Meanwhile, many people felt that there was nothing wrong with it. They pointed out that people also sell kidneys and blood.
Apart from blood plasma, people have reported needs for medicines such as Remdesivir, Besimivir and other drugs considered beneficial in treating coronavirus. To save the lives of their loved ones, some people have expressed their willingness to pay any amount for these rarely available drugs. In May, the National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) confirmed that the first coronavirus patient treated with plasma therapy had recovered.
The sale of oxygen cylinders is also on the rise on the online black market. A 6 liter bottle with regulator and holder is offered for Rs 23,000, while an 8 liter variant is sold for Rs 28,000 and a 12 liter outfit is available for Rs 35,000.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Rashid Malik, a dealer of oxygen cylinders, pointed out that prices had tripled due to very high demand. “Most of these bottles are imported from China, Turkey and Russia. Normally, we sold a 12 liter bottle for Rs 12,000-15,000 and a 6 liter bottle for Rs 6,000-7,000,” he revealed.
The Ministry of National Health Services has already announced measures against illegal blood plasma trade and black trade of life-saving medicines used for coronavirus patients in the country. Health experts are warning citizens not to pay donors for blood plasma as it is still an experimental therapy.
According to the Human Organs and Tissues Transplantation Act, 2012, commercial transactions and trade in human organs and tissues are illegal in the country.
Section 11 of the Act emphasizes that anyone who makes or receives payment for the supply or for an offer to supply a human organ; seeks to find a person willing to provide any human organ against payment; or offers to supply a human organ against payment shall be punishable with imprisonment of up to 10 years and fine which may extend to Rs 1 million.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th2020.