Health Minister releases protocol to combat COVID at home

NEW DELHI: Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, on October 6, released a list of COVID-19 management measures that included yoga, dietary measures and ayurvedic herbs and medicines. It has been named National Clinical Management Protocol and was released virtually in the presence of Shripad Naik, Minister of State for AYUSH.

Shripad Naik said, “The Ministry of AYUSH has undertaken many clinical, observational studies to understand the role of AYUSH intervention in mitigation and management of COVID-19.” In the protocol, AYUSH Ministry cites that according to current understanding, a good immune system is essential to survive this pandemic.

The protocol recommends consumption of Guduchi Ghana Vati, Guduchi and Pippali or AYUSH 64 for prevention of COVID-19 infection or for improving condition of people who have mild or severe symptoms of infection. Along with mention of what medicines to take and when, the protocol elucidates the guidelines on the number of doses and general and dietary measures that should be followed.

It mentions that individuals with moderate to severe coronavirus infection can contact physicians and make informed choices on treatment options. Physicians can also help patients adjust their dosage and medicines in line with their age, weight, and condition of the disease. This protocol has been developed by experts from Institute of Post Graduate Training and Research in Ayurved (IPGTRA), Jamnagar; All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Delhi; Central Council for Research in Ayurveda (CCRAS); Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN); National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur; and other national research organisations.