UAE receives 5.5 million Covid-19 pills from India
The United Arab Emirates’ embassy in New Delhi has received 5.5 million hydroxychloroquine pills from India after securing the approval to export the drugs for the treatment of coronavirus patients.
While confirming this on Saturday April 18, 2020, the embassy stated that, “The first shipment of medicine, currently on its way to the UAE, includes 5.5 million pills for treatment of patients with COVID-19. We highly appreciate the cooperation of the Indian government in facilitating the procedures for obtaining the necessary approvals.”
The UAE added that it had been successfully using chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients.
UAE Ministry of Health Spokeswoman Dr. Farida al-Hosani said, “Initial studies have shown success in using the anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory drugs in treating the illness caused by the new coronavirus, had said last week.”
Meanwhile, Dubai’s health authority said it would commence the treatment of critical coronavirus patients using plasma from recovered patients after the clinical efficacy of the treatment has been proven.
The Director of Dubai Health Care Corporation at the Dubai Health Authority, Dr. Younis Kazim, said, “The authority has introduced a protocol for this type of treatment in public hospitals and private health sector hospitals in Dubai. This is part of the measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus and accelerate the treatment of patients.”
Dr. Kazim added that the DHA outlined rules and guidelines to specify who can make based plasma donations and who is eligible to receive this treatment.
“Doctors believe the plasma of patients who have completely recovered from COVID-19 is rich in antibodies that can fight off the virus. When such plasma is injected into another person with the disease, it will recognize the virus as something to attack,” Dr. Kazim added.
The UAE confirmed a total of 6,302 coronavirus cases and 37 deaths as of Friday, according to the Ministry of Health.
