Jammu: Kashmir-based physician, renowned educator and columnist Dr Tasaduk Hussain Itoo today said that to achieve better treatment outcomes in our patients, a need of strict adherence to optimal scientific research and evidence-based medical guidelines is the key.
He said that considering the more intense and more challenging second wave, which has caused a visible strain on the healthcare system, the strategy to adopt in approaching the patients has to be economical, rational and in accordance with the original scientific guidelines.
“We should learn to ensure scientific and evidence-based investigative and therapeutic practices to effectively treat covid patients”, he said.
“As per scientific research, the use of steroids should be avoided in patients who do not require oxygen. The indiscriminate use of otherwise useful drugs may even prove harmful and counterproductive to patients”, Dr Itoo said.
He said that the emerging epidemic of Black Fungus in India including other fungal infections is becoming a serious health concern currently owing to injudicious use of steroids, overuse of antibiotics and zinc supplements–posing as strong risk factors among other reasons in Covid-19 patients.
He advised that people must not self-medicate with steroids at home, rather they should use them under proper supervision by a doctor and under scientifically proven guidelines.
He said that experts from abroad must help and guide their professional colleagues to follow evidence-based clinical best practices, so as to provide the best possible care to patients.
“Patients with co-morbid conditions must be given quick access to treatment at public healthcare facilities. Optimum and timely treatment of such patients for the underlying diseases would not only ensure better outcomes but would help in reducing mortality among such patients.”, he added.
