KIU, Main Campus – On Wednesday, 16th September 2020, the Ministry of Health announced the use of plasma in COVID-19 treatment in Uganda, a project funded by the government.

Hon. Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health, unveiled the new development at Makerere University. The clinical trials are set to start on Thursday, 17th September 2020, at Mulago National Referral Hospital.

Hon. Aceng noted that much as there is no COVID-19 cure yet, the addition of plasma to the treatment regimen will go a long way in reducing the mortality due to the virus.

According to Dr. Bruce Kirenga, the principal investigator in the use of COViD-19 Convalescent Plasma (CCP) as an investigational drug, they were able to collect 162 units of plasma but only 127 are viable and will be used during the first trial.

Hon. Aceng added that with time, they will roll out the treatment protocol to regional referrals and other COVID-19 treatment centres.

While other developed countries like the US are already using it, Uganda becomes the third country in Africa to use plasma in COVID-19 treatment; the other two being South Africa and Ghana.