Government of Gujarat Vs Government of India on Covid Care

Here is the Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Government of Gujarat. First I Like to explain what she conveys by this poster message in English.

The title is – “Home care management of Covid - To do when the medical or doctor facility is not available”. She divides the home care advice into three parts. First when initial infection, Second When Oxygen level (o2) the level is higher than 92 and third when the 02 level is lower than 92.

As per In this poster, citizens are advised to take budesonide at home when the oxygen level is more than 92. It advised taking the hospital care “if possible” when the o2 level falls down from 92 levels.  This poster advises taking dexamethasone and oxygen at home when the O2 level falls down the level of 92.

Now, Let see what AIIMS/ICMR says on the treatment of the Covid in terms of comparison. Here you can read the guidelines ( Just a one-page chart) of the AIIMS/ ICRM dated 22 April 2021.

 

GOG - Government of Gujarat

1.) GOG Suggest taking emergent medical help when oxygen falls below 85 >> AIIMS/ICMR suggest the ICU facility when O2 level falls down 90.

AIIMS/ICMR Considered the O2 level lower than 90 as “Sever” category.

2.) GOG Suggest taking home care even fall below 93 O2 level >> AIIMS/ICMR Suggest getting admit in a hospital ward when O2 fall below 93.

Keep in mind “Emergency” 108 vans taking 9-10 hours to reach out to patients in Gujarat. Furthermore, earlier AIIMS/ICMR suggest hospitalization at a level of 94. Recently it revised to 93 as the increase of demand for health services and short in supply.

3.) GOG Suggest taking dexamethasone at home >> AIIMS/ICMR does not suggest this in-home care.

Dexamethasone is a Schedule H drug. These are drugs that cannot be purchased over the counter without the prescription of a qualified doctor.

4.) GOG Suggest taking oxygen at home >> ICRM nowhere suggest doing so.

To provide Oxygen treatment is high skilled medical practice. It required the skill and experience of a doctor. Furthermore, Oxygen treatment at home may encourage hoarding which government strongly opposes.

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Now one can argue that the Government of Gujarat guidelines is for those who cannot get access to the hospital. But I do not and cannot buy this argument. There are two reasons for that – First, It is the sovereign responsibility of the state to provide healthcare facility especially when the O2 level falls down to 93. Secondly, things suggest for home care are not possible to follow and also risky.

Furthermore, there is an acute shortage of doctors, lab technicians, and all other medical-related staff in Gujarat and across India. When no lab in Ahmedabad has even a technician to collect the covid sample from home, How can it possible for the common citizen ( Not rich) to get facilities of the doctors and nursing staff at home for the oxygen treatment at home. And Even though, One wants to defend this poster, the only argument is that it is advisable for Rich people. Otherwise, it is not advisable nor practical. 

The poster tweeted by the Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Government of Gujarat is nothi9ng but proof of the helplessness of the Government of Gujarat to provide health service to citizens.