‘Plasma therapy and remdesivir effective’

With the usage of plasma therapy and remdesivir on COVID-19 sufferers elevating loads of questions just lately, Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar mentioned the State’s Health Department had requested the Union Health Minister to think about the views of the treating staff of medical doctors in Tamil Nadu that discovered plasma therapy and the antiviral drug efficient within the administration of the illness earlier than arising with any guideline.

“We clearly explained this to the Union Health Minister at the review meeting on Wednesday. Our treating team of doctors — experts, senior doctors and doctors on the field — have put forward their view that plasma therapy was beneficial in the treatment of COVID-19. Similarly, drugs like remdesivir, tocilizumab and enoxaparin were found to be effective. Doctors have said that remdesivir was found to be very beneficial when administered in the early stages when lung involvement was less,” he advised reporters on the sidelines of a operate to mark World Stroke Day on the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital on Thursday.

“We informed the Union Health Minister that the comprehensive treatment using these drugs, the AYUSH system of medicine and plasma therapy was effective. The opinion of our treating team should be obtained before the Indian Council of Medical Research comes up with guidelines,” Dr. Vijayabaskar mentioned.

Asked in regards to the appointment of ABVP chief Shanmugam Subbiah as a board member of AIIMS, Madurai, and the next criticism from Opposition events, he mentioned the appointment was made by the Central authorities. “There are a few views on the appointment. The Centre has to decide on it,” he mentioned.

Declining development

The Minister mentioned the variety of COVID-19 circumstances was declining in Chennai and the remainder of the State.

Noting that dengue management was a problem throughout rains, he mentioned public well being groups and volunteers have been taking on management actions concurrently for COVID-19 and dengue. “Dengue cases were 15-fold high in Chennai during the same time last year. The forthcoming festivals are another challenge. Wearing masks and physical distancing should not be forgotten and we need to remain focused on precautionary measures,” he mentioned.

The Minister mentioned Tamil Nadu did solely RT-PCR exams and if any personal laboratory was discovered to be performing speedy exams, the federal government would take motion. “Private laboratories should inform the Health Department if they find lung involvement in any person when a scan is taken. We are monitoring scan centres, and action will be taken if they fail to inform the Department, as such persons should be followed up for tests,” he mentioned.

On the preparedness to stop water-logging at hospitals, Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan mentioned the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Egmore, and the bottom flooring of the Institute of Child Health, Egmore, have been affected within the current rains. “Primary health centres at Pozhichalur and Porur, and the Government Hospital, Tambaram, have problems of water-logging. The Public Works Department is taking up works on a war footing,” he mentioned.

Some personal hospitals in low-lying areas additionally had issues of water-logging. They have been advised to create draining services and shift mills to the primary flooring, he mentioned.