In Santiago, Chile, doctors Raimundo Gacitúa and Carolina Selman Bravo from the Arturo López Pérez Foundation have embarked on a groundbreaking journey to combat COVID-19. Inspired by the successes of Chinese doctors who utilized convalescent plasma from recovered patients, they aim to implement this therapy to treat those still battling the virus in Chile.
As the pandemic surged and vaccines remained elusive, Raimundo and Carolina looked towards alternative treatments. Learning from preliminary results reported by Chinese medical teams, they believed that plasma therapy could offer a beacon of hope. Initially, they anticipated around 100 plasma donors. However, as word spread, the number of willing donors swelled to an unexpected 450.
Luis Eduardo Salas is one such donor. After recovering from COVID-19, he didn’t hesitate when approached to contribute. “I wanted to help others recover, just as I did,” he said. His plasma, rich with antibodies, could be the lifeline for patients struggling against the virus.
The dedication of these medical professionals and the generosity of donors like Luis signify a collective effort to reduce COVID-19 mortality rates in Chile. Encouraged by the strides made in China, Raimundo and Carolina are hopeful that plasma therapy will become a pivotal tool in their nation’s fight against the pandemic.
Reference(s):
The Global Guardians: Chilean doctors use plasma to treat COVID-19
cgtn.com
