Doctors’ body suggests five-point agenda to tackle Covid-19 surge

Organized Medicine Academic Guild, a Federation of Professional Medical Organizations of India, has written a letter to Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and suggested five steps to contain the spread of the current surge of Covid-19 in India.

OMAG is a confederate of 14 health associations that represents more than 2, 50,000 postgraduate doctors, working in academic and non-academic institutions, both private and public across India.

Following are the five points suggested by the OMAG -:

We are already in the middle of the Omicron wave. Peaks do not define waves, an increasing number of cases do. So, Replacing RTPCR by RATs, as the preferred investigation will be helpful because of high turnaround time and better sensitivity with Omicron unlike earlier variants.

RATs, if first negative, separated by a period of 3-6 hrs in the same day will improve the yield.

Shift the focus in genome sequencing from detecting Omicron, by sequencing random samples to identifying breakthrough only. So restrict sequencing (as we have limited capacity) in those who are infected post vaccination or after being previously infected. For study purpose weekly 100 sample per state can be done.

Make vaccination dynamic, including the freedom to get vaccinate after 6 months of previous dose and not wait for 9 months. Increase the framework of vaccination to include all co-morbid of whatever the age. This will help 60+ population.

Simplify treatment guidelines and make these universally applicable to reduce the usage of unscientific and evidence deficient management protocols.