Hello
Hope you are doing well, taking care and staying safe. This week we talk about covid crisis in India, Kerala model of healthcare and how can we as individuals contribute.
The course of right treatment or beam of hope
With the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, people on social media platforms are reaching out for help to get verified leads and resources, due to the shortage of medical equipment and resources. Some tweets and messages have been for remdesivir antiviral drug and convalescent plasma. Due to lack of availability in hospitals, citizens have opted for ways to get access to these resources and are ready to pay more than what it costs.
The question is that are these drugs a part of the best course of treatment?
Studies and research are going on around which drug is the best to treat Covid-19 and there are very different opinions on the matter. As per a study by WHO, Remdesivir holds little or no impact on the treatment regime of the Covid-19 patients. Moreover, the study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research has revealed no benefit of Convalescent Plasma.
Even then the particular course is being highly prescribed by doctors in many hospitals. Dr Siddhi Chaudhari, a medical officer at the covid 19 healthcare facility in Mumbai explains the on-ground situation stating that “they have not received any training to handle this crisis. So, whatever they see that works for the patients during the treatment, doctors prescribe it”.
Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director of Akash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi believes that Plasma therapy is a potential modality for the treatment of Covid-19 but there’s a need to research and study more on the matter.
Some good news is that steroid, Dexamethasone has shown indications of reducing inflammation in severe Covid19 cases. Some doctors also believe that Remdesivir, in collaboration with dexamethasone, is a winning combination.
(Sources: Swaddle, Times of India, Pharmaceutical Technology)
Diplomacy and Humanity
With more than 4 lakh cases daily along with more than 3,689 deaths, India’s healthcare system has been stretched beyond its limit.
With the stark gap between demand and supply of medical equipment like oxygen, beds, healthcare providers and the people have found themselves in a tight spot.
To get through the present crisis goodwill and humanity paves the for coming times. India’s allies and neighbours have extended a helping hand by sending in essential resources from the required medicines to medical oxygen or PPE kits.
The United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, China and Ireland are working on sending Oxygen Cylinders, cryogenic tankers, ventilators, oxygen concentrators, liquid oxygen, surgical masks, gloves and face shields.
The United States is planning to send 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine abroad and it is believed that India is also among the recipients. It has lifted the ban on sending raw materials to India to produce more vaccines. Russia has come forward to send the supply of remdesivir vial injections and a widely used drug Favipiravir. The Government of Romania also gifted India with Oxygen concentrators, cylinders and 20 high-flow Oxygen therapy equipment as per the request which the Republic of India made to the European Union.
WHO came forward to help India. An estimated 2,600 WHO staff members from other programmes have been redeployed to India to support the fight against Covid-19. World Health Organization spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said it would deliver 4,000 oxygen concentrators to India.
(Sources: The Hindu, Vox, itv.com)
Kerala leads the way
Kerala has always had its priorities right, whether in the arena of education or healthcare. The state during the second wave, unlike other states, has managed to function efficiently despite the spike in cases. How did Kerala do it?
Recognising the needs:
A Covid Task Force was established in April 2020, which estimated that the demand for Oxygen will rise in the coming year. The task force even sent out letters to oxygen manufacturers in March 2020 to ramp up the production of Oxygen. With this, new Oxygen plants were set up in both the public and private sectors of production.
Getting the priorities right:
Several plants such as the public sector unit, Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML) and private manufacturer Inox have expanded their capacity of oxygen production and increased the capacity to 60%.
The state has also provided support to its neighbouring states- Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and plans to help the national capital too.
Robust Primary Health System:
ASHA and panchayat-level workers have become an intrinsic part of the state's plan to combat the crisis. They have been encouraging testing in the early stages and with the slightest of symptoms such as fever. Early detection of Covid-19 has helped in managing patients well and the need for Oxygen gets reduced.
(Sources: Scroll.in, India Today)
How can you support?
In these unprecedented times, you can contribute to the healing process by helping these organisations which have been working on-ground relentlessly, either through donating or volunteering.
Hemkunt Foundation
Khalsa Aid India
Give India
Milaap
Uday Foundation
Mission Oxygen
Feeding from Far
Khana Chahiye
HelpAge India
Akshay Patra Foundation
Association for India’s Development
Feeding India
Doctors For You
Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation
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