LAHORE:
Following an increase 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 of the patients who have recovered from the coronavirus for tens of thousands of rupees, The Express Pakinomist learned on Saturday.
The blood plasma or convalescent plasma is currently being tested as a possible treatment for coronavirus disease in various 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 who 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 donation.
A patient who wanted to sell his blood plasma after his recent recovery said, “I don’t want to make money but to recover my treatment expenses as thousands of rupees were spent on medicine, consultation and food. I think there is no harm in recovering costs while people sell their blood plasma for tens of thousands of rupees in the city.”
Other people involved in the unethical trade also have their own reasons. Thousands of posts are available on social media indicating that the illegal activity is taking place openly without fear of law enforcement or accountability.
On June 13, a Twitter user posted his thoughts on the issue: “People are making money selling their plasma to patients in Pakistan.
Humanity is dead.” Meanwhile, many people were of the opinion that there was nothing wrong with that. They commented that people also sell kidneys and blood.
In addition to blood plasma, people have submitted claims for drugs such as Remdesivir, Besimivir and other drugs believed to be beneficial in coronavirus treatment. To save the lives of their loved ones, some people have expressed their willingness to pay any amount for these scarcely available drugs. In May, the National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) confirmed that the first coronavirus patient treated with plasma therapy had recovered.
Sales of oxygen cylinders are also increasing on the online black market. A 6-litre cylinder along with regulator and rack is offered at Rs23,000, while an 8-litre variant sells for Rs28,000 and 12-litre trim is available for Rs35,000.
Speaking to The Express Pakinomist, an oxygen cylinder dealer, Rashid Malik, highlighted that the prices have tripled due to very high demand. “Mostly these cylinders are imported from China, Turkey and Russia. On normal days, we used to sell a 12-litre cylinder for Rs12,000 to Rs15,000 and 6-litre for Rs6,000 to Rs7,000,” he revealed.
The Ministry of National Health Services has already announced action against illegal trade in blood plasma and black marketing of life-saving drugs 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 Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act 2012, commercial trade in and trade in human organs and tissues is illegal in the country.
Section 11 of the Act highlights that anyone who makes or receives any payment for the supply of, or for an offer to supply, a human organ; seeks to find a person willing to supply for payment any human organ; or offer to supply a human organ for payment shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years and with fine which may extend to Rs.1 million.
Published in The Express Pakinomist, June 28th2020.
