Zafrullah for plasma banks in districts

"It is very important to establish a plasma bank in each district now. Plasma therapy seems very effective in saving lives from Covid-19," he said in a statement issued by the Gonoshasthaya Kendra yesterday.

Zafrullah, a kidney patient, tested Covid-19 positive on May 24. He has been staying in isolation at the Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital for the last three days. His wife Shireen Huq, a rights activist, and son Barish Chowdhury also tested positive. Shireen was admitted to the same hospital yesterday, while Barish is staying at his house in the city.

Zafrullah has no fever, but has some cough and pain. Shireen has fever and Barish has so far no symptoms, said the statement.

Zafrullah said as new coronavirus infection was increasing, the government should control prices of medicines, whose prices rose during the pandemic. "Otherwise, the poor won't be able to get treatment."

He also called on the government to ensure that the antibody and antigen kit developed by Gonoshasthaya Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a sister concern of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, is approved soon for mass production.

The kit was developed in March this year, but is yet to get the government approval. The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University is now conducting performance trial of the kit -- Rapid Dot Blot.

Zafrullah repeatedly urged the government to issue emergency authorisation of the kit.

Quick and large-scale tests for Covid-19 are more important now than ever as the offices are opening, said Mohib Ullah Khondoker, coordinator of the Rapid Dot Blot project.

Results will be available within 10 minutes after tests are done by the kit, he said, adding, "Testing and isolation are the best ways. Otherwise, it will be extremely difficult to check the spread of infection in a large number of people."