Hyderabad: Gandhi to draw plasma from cured Tablighis

Hyderabad: After a few members of Tablighi Jamaat who recovered from COVID-19 donated blood plasma in Delhi hospitals, the Gandhi Hospital in the city reportedly agreed to receive plasma from about 40 persons from the group. They recovered recently.

Starting from Wednesday, seven to eight members will be visiting the State-run hospital which has already started plasma trials to treat patients struck by coronavirus.

"They will be donating plasma. As there is lack of equipment, the hospital has arranged for 7-8 members daily and all 39 Tablighis will be donating plasma," said Nanalnagar division corporator Mohammed Naseeruddin.

These individuals are mostly from different localities from thcity city, while a dozen hail from Adilabad and Karimnagar districts.

After several states started trials in the recent days, following approval from Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), the Gandhi General Hospital will be conducting trials with transfusion of antigens from these recovered Tablighi members into ailing patients. The plasma containing antibodies is believed to increase the immunity of patient suffering from COVID-19.

On Tuesday, a meeting was conducted at Nanalnagar which was chaired by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, where members of Tablighi Jamaat were encouraged to donate convalescent plasma so as to help patients fighting coronavirus. In April earlier, the MIM chief submitted 32 names of recovered patients from the group to the State government, who had come forward to donate.

"The Jamaat has been demonised as 'super spreader' and even accused of indulging in 'coronajihad' by sections of media. However, members of the Jamaat have been seen donating blood plasma and helping other COVID patients in this collective fight against coronavirus," asserted Asad.

The meeting was attended by Karwan MLA Kausar Mohiuddin, Nampally MLA Jaffar Hussain Meraj, members of Tablighi Jamaat and local corporators.