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| MEDICARE testing for Blood Group |
By Christopher Ambe
MEDICARE Diagnostic Centre (MDC), a
stand-alone clinical laboratory in Buea, capital of Southwest region of
Cameroon, has launched a public sensitization campaign on blood group and
COVID-19 response.
According to Edwin
Achimbom Minang, Director of MDC and who is a medical laboratory scientist
(chemical pathology), the sensation campaign is free and the public is urged to
take advantage of the opportunity.
MDC has been operating
in Buea for the past two decades.
The laboratory
basically operates in the diagnosis of Common Tropical Diseases (CTDs), the
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), Organ Function Tests, and employs the
science in Hematology, Serology, Microbiology (Parasitology/ Mycology) &
Chemical Pathology to achieve its
goals.
According to MDC,“The
ABO grouping is a test performed to determine an individual’s blood type.”
With the present
Corona Virus Disease-2019(COVID 19), it argues, “ it is important to understand
the relationship between the ABO Blood Group and the COVID 19 susceptibility”
In a study that
compared the ABO Blood group distribution in 2,173 patients with COVID 19 confirmed
by SARS-CO-2 test from 3 hospitals in Wuhan and Shenzen in China, with that in
normal individuals from the corresponding regions, the results showed that
blood group A was associated with a higher risk for acquiring COVID-19 compared
with non-A blood groups, whereas blood group O was associated with a lower risk
for the infection compared with non-O blood Groups.
The
Centre officials say that ,Blood
type may play a very important role in driving the severity among corona virus
COVID -19 patients. Genetic studies (analysis) of COVID 19 patients have shown
that people with blood type O seemed to be protected against severe stage of
the disease. In contrast those with blood type A may experience complications
linked with the viral infection-Associated Respiratory Failure (ARF).
Summarily, people
with blood type A seem to be at a particular high risk of a severe course of
COVID-19. They might be twice as likely to need an oxygen support supply or
ventilation in the event of a corona virus infection as people with blood type
0.Eventhough the blood type 0 people are not protected against an infection
with the virus, studies show they have the lowest risk of having a
severe(complicated) case of the disease.
Ultimately, the
outcome of the studies relating COVID- 19 and blood type may help in developing
various drug treatments. Researchers have used similar approaches when
searching for medications to fight other diseases. In the case of malaria,
scientists have established a link between the disease and different blood
types. For example, it is now known that people with blood type O very rarely
develop severe malaria and are very-well protected against its most severe
form.
The expected accomplishment
of the campaign, according to the Center Director, are:
-To ensure that people living within the Fako
Division should have a better awareness on their Blood Group type and are
delivered a Blood Group Identification Card.
-Making it possible
that people within Fako Division can tell their blood group whenever need
arises whether in critical health situations or when to save a life through
blood transfusion.
-For a better and
quicker response on their Health Care.
-To increase
collaboration between Government, Private Sector and the Civil Society in
Health Care and particularly the Covid-19 response.
(For more info about Medicare Diagnostic Centre, Contact Tel:(00237)
677932172, Email: medstic@gmail.com)
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