Plasma therapy isn't proven therapy, still in experimental stage: Health Ministry

After a series of recent announcements by some state governments regarding the use of plasma therapy in coronavirus patients, the central government said on Tuesday that it was not yet a proven or approved therapy to treat COVID-19. Lav Agrawal, Joint Secretary of Health Ministry, said in a press conference that "Plasma therapy is being experimented, however, there is no evidence that this can be used as a treatment. National level study has been launched by ICMR to study the efficacy." Until ICMR concludes its study and a robust scientific proof is available, the Plasma therapy should be used only for research or trial purpose, he added. He also said that "If plasma therapy is not used in a proper manner under the proper guideline then it can also cause life-threatening complications." He stated that "Plasma therapy isn't a proven therapy. It's still in the experimental stage, right now even ICMR is doing it as an experiment to identify and do additional understanding of this therapy. Till it is approved, no one should use it, it'll be harmful to patient and illegal." Also Read | Bapu Dham Colony in Chandigarh reports 6 new cases of coronavirus; UT count 56  Meanwhile, he spoke up about the current situation in India due to the novel coronavirus. With 1594 new cases and 51 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, India's total number of coronavirus positive cases rises to 29,974 (including 22010 active cases, 7027 cured/ discharged/ migrated and 937 deaths): -PTC News