India has been passing through the deadly COVID 2.0, which is turning out to be more dangerous than that of the first wave started last year. This time, there has been an unprecedented Oxygen crisis, which resulted in unexpected deaths.
To learn the lesson from COVID 2.0, HEAL Health organised an e-Summit – the 17th Episode of HEAL-Thy Samvaad series to discuss the unprecedented medical Oxygen crisis, use of self-medication & drug abuse such as steroids and their health hazards and deadly black fungal infection Mucormycosis in association with HEAL Foundation and knowledge partner Brand Wagon Club.
Elaborating on the use of self-medication and its repercussions during COVID 2.0: Lesson to learn from – e-Summit, the 17th Episode of HEAL-Thy Samvaad, Dr Vaishali Sharma, Senior Consultant & COVID Specialist, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Fortis, Noida said, “Self-medication or copying of prescription is not advisable as symptoms of mild and severe cases vary. This is an important lesson we need to learn from COVID 2.0. Moreover, the majority of people have gone for self-medication during COVID 2.0 crisis. Going for self-medication without consultation with the doctors is harmful. Appropriate doses of the medicines are required in consulting with a physician”.
“If one medicine suits one person, it might not suit another. Through self-medication, people are taking pseudo-treatment and bringing harm for themselves. Steroids are not to be given from the 1st day of the treatment. It should be given from the 6th day because it can lead to Mucormycosis”., he said further.
Deliberating on Oxygen Crisis during COVID 2.0: Lesson to learn from – e-Summit, the 17th Episode of HEAL-Thy Samvaad, Dr Sonia Lal Gupta, Director, Metro Group of Hospitals said, “We have never seen such a situation before – the Oxygen crisis has been unprecedented. We never expected that COVID 2.0 will be as outrageous as it has unfolded as nobody was prepared for this. But, the situation has been gradually improving as the cases are coming down, and the Oxygen crisis also seeming to get over. But are we going to prepare for the predicted 3rd wave? Actually, mid and small size hospitals also need to set up their own Oxygen generators for backup to get future-ready to manage such Oxygen crisis we have undergone during COVID 2.0.”
Speaking during COVID 2.0: Lesson to learn from – e-Summit, the 17th Episode of HEAL-Thy Samvaad, Dr Harsh Mahajan, Padam Shri Awardee, President, NATHEALTH said, “We are almost behind the peak of COVID 2.0 as the cases are declining gradually, but not everywhere – in south Indian states, the cases are on the upswing. However, in north Indian states, cases are coming down as had happened during the 1st wave. After this unprecedented and unexpected crisis, we need to be more vigilant and follow the appropriate COVID behaviour stringently. Double masking is very essential to protect ourselves”.
“The inappropriate COVID behaviour has also contributed to increasing the number of cases. This variant is more infective, which hasn’t spared even the younger people this time. CT Scan (HRTC) has been very useful for COVID patients as it can differentiate the mild and severe cases, pointing whether hospitalisation is required or not – it’s a lifesaver.”, he further said.
Sharing his legal fight for the availability of Oxygen cylinders to the hospitals during COVID 2.0, Mr Sudhir Mishra, Managing Partner, Trust Legal said, “I have been fighting the oxygen crisis via petitions throughout the peak of COVID 2.0. However, I have withdrawn all those petitions a couple of days ago as the situation has been improving gradually. The crisis deepened to such an extent that people started hoarding the Oxygen cylinders and we started a movement – surrender the cylinder so that the needy had to be rescued”.
“Amidst the unprecedented crisis during COVID 2.0 – the one thing that stood out was the serving spirit of the doctors across the country who never denied it. Hats off to the Indian doctors’ fraternity who have never said NO. But the lesson we have learnt during COVID 2.0 is that we need to be prepared to face the upcoming crisis of COVID 3.0, and for this, we are planning to file petitions to get the amendment done in the ‘Essential Commodities Act’ that includes essential medicines and oxygen concentrators. The idea is to ensure the availability of essential commodities like Oxygen in times of crisis.”, he further said.