Page 12 - spectrum-volume-14-issue-7.pdf

12 2020 | Spectrum | Volume 14 Number 1

Covid-19 blues pitches SRM into more

research initiatives including Siddha

STAFF WRITTER

Even after six months into a
global pandemic, the continuing
uncertainty over the progression
of Covid-19, novel coronavirus,
has infused a greater degree of
social purpose in SRM Medical
College Hospital and Research
Centre at Kattankulathur near
here to try and contribute to
taming the virus by undertaking
research across medicinal systems
including ‘Siddha’, said Dr. Lt
Col A. Ravikumar, Pro Vice
Chancellor, Medical and Health formulations really help prevent
Sciences Covid-19 cases going from

In the popular message- ‘mild’ to ‘severe’, the lesser
space, ‘Kabasura Kudineer’, the number of days taken for a
herbal concoction as part of the cure and the like. “Nearly 40
per cent of this study has been
SRM hospital opens indigenous ‘Siddha’ formulations completed and at the end of it
to tackle coronavirus, may be seen
ROP screening for as a harmless immune booster in we will publish the findings
along with the NIS”, he said.
susceptible populations. But that
stage is already being surpassed,
Another area of research
premature babies thanks to the Central and State SRM Medical College Hospital
governments also opening up the and Research Centre is in thick
inclusion of Indian systems of of, is testing the efficacy of Dr. Lt Col A. Ravikumar,
medicine and medical research recombinant BCG vaccine in Pro Vice Chancellor,
STAFF WRITTER screening process would take less institutions like SRM taking up preventing Covid-19 infections Medical and Health Sciences
than five minutes, while the the challenge. among people who are in the due to Covid-19, the purpose
SRM Medical College intervention if it extensive laser Going beyond a facile high-risk zone, particularly of “widening our research
Hospital and Research Centre it will take about 45 minutes recommendation that ‘Siddha’ among the hospital staff who horizons, given our very good
(SRM MCHRC) and Aravind while a smaller process will formulations including ‘Kabasura are treating Covid-19 patients. infrastructure, by collaborating
Eye Hospital have signed a take 30 mins or so. The outcome Kudineer’ is an ‘add-on therapy’ This is in partnership with the with various organisations
Memorandum of understanding by of this process will help cure in treating Covid-19 patients, Serum Institute, Pune. is to join different initiatives
which the former will now be able blindness in premature babies.” “We are now testing its efficacy The third study involves finding and with our contributions
to provide regular Retinopathy of in a proper scientific study to see out whether ‘Hydroxychloroquine’ cumulatively make an impact”
Prematurity (ROP) screening of “This ROP process will whether it really works,” says as a prophylactic can prevent in fighting the pandemic, says
high-risk babies at its premises completely be real-time. It will Dr. Melvin George, Associate onset of Covid-19 coronavirus Dr Melvin George. “It is a large
in Kattankulathur. This is done alert if there is a treatment required Professor, Clinical Pharmacology, infection in people who are team who are working and if
as part of the commitment to the or not after the diagnose. This SRM Medical College Hospital working in hospitals. The Indian by collaborative research we
National Program for Prevention will prevent sick babies from and Research Centre. Council of Medical Research can contribute to understanding
and Control of Blindness (NPCB), being shifted for treatment,” (ICMR) has given guidelines for Covid-19, for its treatment and
to prevent childhood blindness he added. The study, in collaboration with this two months back and SRM prevention and if it can stop the
due to ROP. Pro Vice Chancellor (Medical) the National Institute of Siddha Medical College Hospital and pandemic and save people’s lives,
(NIS), aims to document, on
Aravind Eye Hospital will Lt. Col. Dr. A. Ravi Kumar the basis of scientific evidence, Research Centre is one of the it will be a big thing,” added Dr
provide a team of experts and said, “The idea is to catch the how the ‘Siddha’ formulations 25 hospitals across India chosen Melvin George, on the overall
expertise to do the screening illness early and treat it. This add to the effectiveness of the for this study also, points out significance of these projects.
at SRM Medical College and process is a welcoming effort mainline allopathic hospital Dr Melvin George. Ultimately, Contact details: Dr. Melvin
Hospital and Research Centre and this opens new avenues for treatment to cure Covid-19 and with so many people suffering George 9894133697
(screening include Tele ROP). treatment in the future.’ The also how they can prevent the
Apart from screening, experts cost of screening right now is virus from spreading. “
from Aravind Eye Hospital done free. with so many people suffering
will provide treatment advice, Retinopathy of Prematurity is This important study is being
perform interventions in the form one of the causes of permanent aided by two groups of people- due to Covid-19, the purpose of
of laser or intravitreal injection vision impairment among in all 150 and split into 75
or surgery free of cost. Speaking premature babies. babies born persons in each group with their “widening our research horizons,
at the MoU signing, Dean of before 34 weeks of gestation individual consent-, of which given our very good infrastructure,
SRM MCH Dr. A. Sundaram or with less than 1850 grams one group will get the regular
said, “ROP is the important birth weight, any baby with medical treatment for Covid-19 by collaborating with various
cause of childhood blindness. long term exposure to oxygen, plus the ‘Siddha’ formulations
This can be if diagnosed early.” suffers respiratory distress and the other group get only organisations is to join different
standard medical care, explains
Dr. Prabhu Baskaran, Vitreo- syndrome, recovers from Dr. Satyajit Mahopatra and Dr initiatives and with our contributions
retinal surgeon from Aravind Eye septicemia, underwent multiple Melvin George.
Hospital, said, ROP screening blood transfusion, recovered cumulatively make an impact” in
will be done by a trained from apneic episodes, has The outcomes from these
technician while the intervention intraventricular hemorrhage two groups will be compared in fighting the pandemic, “
will be done by a doctor. The are at risk of developing ROP. testing claims whether ‘Siddha’