With the aim to enhance the treatment protocols for COVID-19 patients in Bahrain and beyond, RCSI Bahrain sponsored the National Convalescent Plasma Clinical Trial in COVID-19 patients, in collaboration with the Bahrain Defence Force Hospital (BDF) and the Ministry of Health.

This initiative comes under the directives from the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) President and taskforce head, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and through the supervision of Major General (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 centres 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 randomised 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 the Kingdom of Bahrain’s effort in combatting 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.

Although this is the first time for RCSI Bahrain to conduct a National Clinical Trial, developing healthcare through research has always been a point of focus for the University. 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.

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.