MANAMA — With the aim to enhance the treatment protocols for COVID-19 patients in Bahrain and beyond, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) sponsored the National Convalescent Plasma Clinical Trial in COVID-19 patients, in collaboration with the Bahrain Defense Force Hospital and the Ministry of Health.

This initiative comes under the directives from the Supreme Council of Health President and taskforce head, Lt. Gen. Dr. Shaikh Mohammed Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and through the supervision of Maj. Gen. (Prof.) Khalid Bin Ali Al Khalifa the Royal Medical Services Commander and the chair of the Research Committee of Coronavirus COVID-19.

The clinical trial, which will be conducted in three centers around Bahrain, entails taking antibody-rich plasma that has been given by subjects that have recovered from COVID-19, and injecting it into patients who are severely suffering from the disease.

Patients who have contracted COVID-19 and require oxygen therapy will be randomized to either the plasma treatment with supporting care, or normal supporting care, both of which will include drug treatment against the virus.

RCSI Bahrain’s President Professor Sameer Otoom, commented: “RCSI Bahrain believes in excellence in collaboration research and service and we strongly feel it is our duty to dedicate our knowledge, experience and resources to actively participate in this clinical trial, in support of Bahrain’s effort in combating this pandemic, and to all the COVID-19 patients globally who are fighting for their lives.”

The goal of the clinical trial is to see if the convalescent plasma will reduce the severity of the disease and prevent patients from needing mechanical ventilation. It is hoped that the outcome of the trial will not only help local patients, but also assist globally in the fight against this virus.

Other Gulf countries have also started taking steps towards using plasma for treatment. In Kuwait, Health Minister Shaikh Dr Al Sabah asked those who have recovered from the COVID-19 to donate their blood, for doctors to extract the plasma, and treat currently infected patients.

In the UAE, the Director of Dubai Health Care Corporation at the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dr. Younis Kazim stated that they have also started treating critical COVID-19 patients using plasma from recovered patients.

Professor Stephen Atkin, head of the school of postgraduate studies and research at RCSI Bahrain, is one of the senior members involved in the clinical trial, with specific interest and experience in translational medicine, encompassing both clinical and laboratory work.

Professor Atkin has authored or co-authored more than 300 articles to date, and is the academic editor for several journals, as well as being a series advisor on ‘rational testing’ for the British Medical Journal.

“Developing healthcare through research has always been a point of focus for the University,” commented Professor Atkin. In recent years, RCSI Bahrain has collaborated in multiple research projects and signed agreements with major research centres and other higher education institutions in Bahrain, as part of its positive contribution to the enhancement of healthcare. — SG