Rash of trouble: HCQ sparks new worry

New Delhi: The efficacy of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an anti-malaria drug, in treating or preventing Covid-19 is unclear. However, thousands of healthcare workers and common people continue to have them in the hope that it may guard them against novel coronavirus infection.Doctors, however, warn against the practice. According to Dr Kabir Sardana, professor of dermatology at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital in New Delhi, they have come across healthcare workers using the drug as a preventive developing skin problems such as raised itchy eruptions, swelling of face, itching of body, itching of palms and soles, and rash involving the trunk. ....read more

CMAAO Coronavirus Facts and Myth Buster: Neurology

With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev955: Update on Covid-19: IMA-CMAAO Webinar on “Neurological complications in Covid-19”,6th June, 2020, 4-5pmParticipants: Dr KK Aggarwal, President CMAAO, Dr RV Asokan, Hony Secretary General IMA, Dr Ramesh K Datta, Hony Finance Secretary IMA, Dr Sanchita SharmaFaculty: Dr Jyoti Sehgal, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Medanta Medicity, GurgaonKey points from the discussion,These patients are seen in triage, OPDs or as referrals from ICU from other departments. ....read more

World Covid Meter 24th June: 213 Countries Affected

Cases: 1M April 2, 2M April 15, 3M April 27, 4M May 8, 5M May 20, 6M May 30, 7M June 7, 8M June 15, 9M June 22Ground Zero: Wuhan - in live animal market or cafeteria for animal pathogens: 10th January; Total cases are based on RT PCR, 67% sensitivityDoubling time India 18 days, USA 33 days, Brazil 13 days, Russia 18 days, Spain 47 days, UK 35 days, Italy 55 days, France 49 days, Turkey 37 daysLikely minimum deaths (479778 + 57910 x 15 = 8687) = 488465,Coronavirus Cases: 9,352,725,Deaths: 479,778,Recovered 5,041,170....read more

Why do we not touch papers, books and people with our feet?

In every traditional Gurukul, no studies start without chanting the following:Saraswati namasthubhyamVarade kaama roopiniVidyaarambham karishyaamiSidhirbhavatu me sadaa“O Goddess Saraswati, the giver of Boons and fulfiller of wishes, I prostrate to You before starting my studies. May you always fulfil me” ....read more

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Covid 19 emergencies handling

Healthcare News Monitor

Depending on China for imports could threaten India’s drug security: Export council DG

ThePrint

New Delhi: Over-dependence on China for medicinal imports could become “a great threat to the country’s drug security and national health”, a top official in the Narendra Modi government said.“The pandemic is an eye-opener for the pharma industry, which is heavily dependent on China for the active pharmaceutical ingredients and key starting materials (KSMs),” Udaya Bhaskar, Director-General, Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), told ThePrint.“If not addressed, it would become a great threat to drug security and national health,” he added.

Self-sufficiency in bulk drugs is a must

Business Line

India cannot afford to continue depending on China for crucial pharma ingredientsThe government declared 2015 the Year of the API. That may not sound hugely exciting but the health of the nation depends on them. APIs — or active pharmaceutical ingredients — play a crucial role in our lives as the raw materials that go into making antibiotics, painkillers, and other medicines that people pop every day. The 2015 announcement was followed a year later by the government fixing a 2020 deadline for when, as Union Minister Ananth Kumar declared, “India is going to become self-reliant (from China in bulk drugs),” calling it a matter of national “health security.” Now, guess what? We imported 68 per cent of our APIs or ₹249-billion worth from the Middle Kingdom in 2019, up from ₹193 billion the previous year.

Pune: Hospitals design home care packages for asymptomatic patients allowed to isolate at home

The Indian Express

Barely two days after home isolation guidelines were issued by the civic body, some private hospitals have started rolling out “home care medical packages” that include oximeters, blood pressure apparatus and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets, apart from offering WhatsApp video calls with doctors and nurses for monitoring. So far, 60 asymptomatic Covid-19 positive people have been permitted to leave Covid care centres.The PMC recently issued guidelines for home isolation of positive asymptomatic persons, in tune with the advisory issued by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Persons clinically categorised as having very mild or pre-symptomatic Covid-19 will have the option of home isolation, provided they have requisite facilities. They will have to submit an undertaking to adhere to self-isolation norms.

Delhi’s Covid centre, 10 times bigger than China’s largest, to start this week

hindustantimes

Home Minister Amit Shah has roped in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police medical personnel to run India’s biggest facility being set up for Covid patients in south Delhi. The facility, being set up at a Radha Soami Satsang Beas complex in Chattarpur, would be able to accommodate over 10,200 patients.The Chattarpur facility, the size of 15 football fields, has been named Sardar Patel Covid Care Centre and Hospital.The Chattarpur facility, the size of 15 football fields, has been named Sardar Patel Covid Care Centre and Hospital.“This would be 10 times bigger than the field facility for Covid patients that was temporarily set up in China’s Leishenshan to accommodate 1,000 patients,” said a senior Home Ministry official. Back in February, Chinese diplomats had put out a video of the construction of the hospital to showcase what was then considered a feat.