AIIMS allocates HCQ tablets for its healthcare workers dealing with COVID-19 patients

 AIIMS authorities on Tuesday said all healthcare workers involved in treatment of coronavirus-infected patients at premier institute can get Hydroxychloroquine tablets from ir respective departments.

"It is for information of all concerned that requisite quantity of tablets Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been issued to all departments (for faculty and  residents) and to all in patient wards (for nurses, technical and all or staff) from wheresoever requisition was received," an order issued by Dr DK Sharma, Medical Superintendent at AIIMS said.

ministration has asked all departments and inpatient wards who have t sent ir requisitions so far and want to get HCQ tablets issued for use by employees and officials at risk to send ir requirement for approval and subsequent issue by hospital store.

"All or individual employees (serving/ retired) or dependent EHS beneficiary patients who have been/ are being vised Tablet HCQ by respective treating doctors including EHS CMO's can get required medicine issued from EHS Pharmacy against prescription," order said.

Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended use of drug as preventive medication for healthcare workers and household contacts looking after a positive case. Besides,  Union Health Ministry has also recommended use of Hydroxychloroquine in combination with Azithromycin by those severely suffering from COVID-19 who require ICU manment.

death toll due to vel coronavirus rose to 124 and number of cases in country climbed to 4,789 on Tuesday, registering an increase of 508 cases in last 24 hours, according to Union Health Ministry.

However, a PTI tally based on figures reported directly by states showed at least 143 deaths across country, while confirmed cases reached 4,998. Of m, 414 have been cured and discharged.

re has been a lag in Union Health Ministry figures, compared to numbers anunced by different states, which officials attribute to procedural delays in assigning cases to individual states.

Im Credits: PTI