Intensifying measures to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus and bring down its devastating impact, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed the senior officials to constitute a panel of special medical experts to spread awareness and educate people about the cautious use of the life-saving medicines and oxygen.
“The hoarding of oxygen and essential drugs like Remdesivir in homes is creating panic and leading to their shortage. There is a need to spread awareness and inform people about their correct usage amidst Covid scare,” the CM said while holding a high-level Covid review meeting with senior officials on Friday.  
The CM asked the officials to ensure that the medical experts must clarify the correct procedure of administering medical oxygen to patients as people who have oxygen saturation level above 94 do not need it as increase in oxygen saturation beyond this level would not increase oxygen in blood.
“I appeal to medical practitioners in private and government hospitals to follow the protocols while recommending Remdesivir injections to COVID-19 patients as rampant recommendation has led to a shortage across the country and increased its blackmarketing,” he said.
Yogi also asked all the Ayush practitioners to join the fight against the pandemic and said that they should provide treatment to Covid patients as in the present time, it is necessary to make people aware of the benefits of Ayush.
“There are currently about 2.52 lakh patients in home isolation and Ayush, homoeopathic and Unani doctors should be given access to them to provide them consultation. The Ayush department should distribute ‘kadha’ in every household,” the chief minister said.
He further said that a team comprising Ayush, homoeopathy and Unani doctors should be set up in each district to give advice on health to people. They should also be linked with tele-consultation services. As part of these services, they should tell people about the simple treatment options for Covid-19 available to them, he said.
“Our ancient health systems are not only affordable but also more useful. We must extend the benefits of these to the most number of people through the monitoring committees set up to keep a watch on those in home isolation and reach out to such people,” he said.
He also emphasised on the role of yoga in making one free of illness and said that Ayush doctors should tell people how their immunity can be boosted. In an emergency move, the CM also asked for inclusion of retired doctors, para-medical staff and medical students in their final years to increase manpower in the hospitals.
“Many of those who have emerged victorious in the battle against COVID-19 are willing to serve the patients. In this context, in order to increase the manpower at hospitals, experiences of retired doctors, lab technicians and paramedical staff along with retired personnel of the armed forces can be availed,” the CM said.
The Yogi-led government is not only making arrangements for severely ill people but is also sparing no efforts to make sure people who have self-isolated themselves are getting all the facilities and medical help.
The CM ensured that patients under home isolation are provided medical kits for at least one week. Nigrani samitis  have been asked to ensure transparent and prompt distribution of medicines.
The health administration has been told to stay in constant touch with home isolated patients on a daily basis so that they do not have to worry about anything. Besides, regular communication with patients under home isolation must take place through the CM helpline 1076, he said.
With this, instructions have also been issued to regularly inform and update the family members about the health of patients admitted in public or private hospital.
“An effective system must be implemented across all the hospitals to regularly update the family members about the well-being and the condition of patients undergoing treatment in the hospitals,” the CM said.  
He also reiterated the importance of double masking, social distancing and hand hygiene and said that the mask should seal the air passage around the nose and mouth for proper protection.