As the use of the drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as treatment for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has not been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), local health authorities are in talks on using different methods in treating patients with the virus including the use of plasma.
This was disclosed by Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle last week, during a telephone interview with Stabroek News. The DCMO when asked about the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as treatment stated that the Ministry of Public Health is waiting on the WHO to come up with a standard of treatment for the virus.
With that she noted that they have so far been providing supportive therapy for those persons who have tested positive for the disease. “I believe with some patients, they may have looked at the possibility, especially with those towards to end, to try something, anything… because other than that we know we’re gonna lose them” she explained.