IMA, Doctors urge Maha CM not to advice self-medication to suspected Covid patients

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Mumbai: The Shiv Sena led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government already facing blows from the opposition party over its failure to control the rising coronavirus cases in the state, has now raised the hackles of the medical fraternity over a dangerous campaign to promote ‘self-medication’ in the state.

With the increasing cases of the corona cases all over the state, the Shiv Sena recently started with a new initiative ‘My Family, My Responsibility’ campaign in which the government would conduct a door-to-door survey for tracing and treating patients, identifying people with comorbidities, raising awareness and educating the citizens on safety measures to break the transmission of the virus.

But it seems that some Sena leaders have taken the initiative in the wrong way and have ended up posting e-banners on their Facebook wall to inform the suspected coronavirus patients regarding the self-medications for the Chinese pandemic. The online banners contain names of the medicines to be taken for various symptoms.

Maharashtra has been the worst affected state in the country with more than 12 lakh people tested positive for the pandemic and more than 33,000 people have died due to coronavirus. Meanwhile, an e-poster in the name of Shiv Sena leaders has gone viral on social media platforms, under which they are advising the coronavirus patients to take prescriptions suggested by the Shiv Sena leaders.

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Indian Medical Association (IMA) state president, Dr Avinash Bhondwe and Secretary Dr Amol Annadate had shared the post on twitter and urge Maharashtra CM requesting him to not promote self-medication. Through this poster, which has the WHO logo and pictures of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and other ministers, the Shiv Sena leaders advise the suspected coronavirus patients to take self-medication. The Shiv Sena leaders have prescribed Hydroxychloroquine, vitamin D, C and Zinc tablets for the symptomatic coronavirus patients.

For people with breathlessness, the campaign prescribes Dexona-5 mg and in case of fever, it advises to take Dolo 650 mg. Similarly, in case of throat pain – Cetirizine 10 mg and the drug Brozedex for patients who suffer from cough.

The detailed poster is being circulated by the Shiv Sena corporator Sujata Patekar and her husband Shiv Sena Vibhag Pramukh of Magathane Udesh Patekar.

The posters also ask people to have Ayurvedic Kadha (distilled extract of herbs), hot turmeric milk, hot water and immunity booster supplements under other “essential guidelines”. The Shiv Sena leaders also urge people to maintain hygiene and social distancing while asking people to avoid smoking, alcohol and tobacco.

It is important to note that self-medication at the time of a pandemic could be dangerous and fatal for patients who may have other health complications. However, the Shiv Sena, in a shocking act of recklessness has now opted to give free advice to the people of Maharashtra to follow ‘self-medication’ procedures.

On this issue when thenews21 spoke to Shiv Sena corporator Sujata Udesh Patekar about this post, she admitted it. She said, “I had shared the poster on Facebook but when I realised that an important line was missing which states that these medicines are proved helpful in curing the symptoms of corona but those medicines are meant to be taken only by prescription after consulting a doctor.”