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• In the last week of April, when mass testing (of 169 villagers) for Covid 19 was done in this village, 69 of them came positive. This proportion was startling considering small population of the village (345). • Lack of basic health facilities and lack of awareness amongst the population(mostly elderly) was evident looking at these numbers and feedback from local leadership.
• Hence an active intervention was needed for the damage control. Out of these needs, we initiated the response in following way.
Response
• Preparation Phase-
• A team of 8 – comprising Ayurvedic Practitioners and under-graduate students – was formed.
• Fund-raising was initiated and total amount of around 80,000/- was raised.
• The funds were utilized for purchasing required medicines, medical equipment and stationary items.
• The necessary permission was sought from Taluka Health Officer of Wani.
• Private practitioners from Wani were contacted, who assured of their support.
• A communication was established with nearest Primary Health Centre.
Day 1 – 14th May 2021
• The evening before the camp was utilized to meet various authorities from health department and local governing body to share the action plan and take the necessary inputs from them.
• Word was spread amongst the villagers about the upcoming health camp.
Day 2 – 15th May 2021
• Response to the Camp
• Total of 110 patients (46 females, 52 males, 12 children) were screened and checked on OPD basis.
• All the rules and regulation, relevant in this situation (eg. Social distancing, sanitization etc.) were followed.
• Upon examination it was found that, because of the time period of approximately 3 weeks between testing and our first day of camp, most of the cases were of Post-Covid presentations.
• 4 patients were clinically suspected of Covid.
• Many of the patients, with no known history of Covid like presentation and suffering from altogether different aliments, also approached the camp.
Day 2 – 15th May 2021
• Actions - For Post Covid Patient
• These commonly showed following complaints – Fatigue, Body-ache, Joint-pains, Loss of Appetite, Breathlessness, Constipation, Hyperacidity, Bloating of Stomach.
• They were given appropriate Ayurvedic medicines as per the Ayush Protocol, with Allopathic medicines if needed, for 3 days. Counselling was done including basic instructions regarding their diet.
• Written informed consents, as suggested by Ayush Ministry were taken from patients.
• All the observed clinical data and dispensed medicines were recorded in the case record format, provided in public domain by Ayush Ministry.
Day 2 – 15th May 2021
• Actions - For Suspected Covid Patients
• They were asked to perform a 6 minute walk test and results regarding pulse, SpO2 were noted.
• They were informed to local Aasha Workers and health officials. Medicines were given to them based on their presentations and necessary precautions were conveyed with focus on home isolation.
• Written informed consents, as suggested by Ayush Ministry was taken from all the patients.
• All the observed clinical data and dispensed medicines were recorded in the case record format, provided in public domain by Ayush Ministry.
Day 2 – 15th May 2021
• Response to the Camp For patients - not related to Covid
• The most common complaints found were – Joint Pains, Hyper-acidity, Constipation, Headache; Menstrual cycle related complaints in female.
• These were provided with the appropriate medicines, if available in the stock. The required but unavailable medicines were noted down. They will be ordered with the next batch.
• After the camp, Doctors and Volunteers had conversations with groups of villagers about preventive measures, vaccination and other points to increase the awareness.
Day 3 – 17th May 2021
• Response to the Camp• Total of 118 patients (51 females, 54 males, 13 children) were checked on OPD basis.
• Interestingly, only 8 patients could not make it to first follow up. Rest of all from the Day 1 of camp reported for check up. Those 8 patients were approached and required medicines were sent to their homes
. • Rest of the process was similar to Day 1.
• This time, medicines were provided for 5 days.
Further Planning• We are planning for 2 more camps (on weekly basis) with special focus on follow up of Post-Covid patients, who are suffering from various aliments, causing daily discomfort.
• We are planning to order the medicines required for especially non-Covid patients.
• In between camps, a small team will visit the village frequently to have conversations with villagers on topics related to social health.
• After completion of 4 camps, digital documentation of the cases will be done and statistical assessment will be performed to try and measure the possible short-scale impact of the camps on the health of the villagers.
