ABSTRACT
Since the beginning of the year in January 2020, the world witnessed a terrifying unpredictable health emergency of human life which resulted in an outbreak of a disease known as a novel coronavirus (SARS CoV-2 / COVID-19-acute respiratory disease) which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). With an abrupt increase in the number of cases, a nationwide lockdown was imposed where Pharmacists served as a lifeline by supplying medicines to people across the world and their operation has made a big difference amid the global pandemic. In such difficult times, Pharmacists have helped vulnerable patients stay well and ensured their safety amidst the pandemic. Although pharmacies and drug stores play an important part in the healing process, many people have the perception that they provide a commercial or business-like service. The doctor prescribes the right medicine with the right instructions, and the pharmacist fills the prescription for a fee. In a nutshell, it's a straightforward business. With the advancement of the healthcare system, the role of the Pharmacist has become crucial in today's era which is defined by insights and discoveries that elevate the greater well-being of humans. Due to the rapid expansion, the urban concentration of health services remains a challenge in a country like India. Hence there has to be strict monitoring governance over the healthcare framework. Copyright © 2022, Anka Publishers. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction Pandemic has affected health care globally affecting the routine practices in hospitals. Treatment delivery for cancer patients posed specific challenges in lieu of reducing risk of exposure. The current report evaluates the effect of COVID-19 on breast cancer treatment and management at a single-surgeon cancer care unit in one of the hotspots in India. Prashanti Cancer Care Mission (PCCM), is a public charitable trust that supports an Oncosurgeon's practice with a mission to support cancer patients by providing subsidized treatment, counselling, and fostering support group activities. PCCM's Orchid's Breast Health clinic is a multidisciplinary health care unit working closely in association with PCCM's research arm Centre for translational cancer research (CTCR). Methods In response to the pandemic, adjustments were made in the clinical practice to accommodate social distancing. Patient consultations were done over phone call or in-clinic visit with prior appointment to reduce the risk of exposure. Total number of patients treated at the clinic, total footfall, chemotherapies administered, and essential surgeries performed were assessed Results The report summarizes the effect of pandemic on cancer care and management at a single unit of cancer clinic through various phases of lock-down that were implemented in India to curb the spread of COVID-19. Conclusions The methodology adopted here for care and management of the cancer patients can serve as a guiding principle for cancer care units in the country.
ABSTRACT
Context: We describe the treatment of cancer patients carried out in a Government of India-designated, dedicated coronavirus disease (COVID) hospital (DCH) in a COVID hotspot in India. Aims: The aim was to study the change and delay in the management of cancer patients during the pandemic and its complications. Settings and Design: This was an observational cohort study conducted at a tertiary care center, which was also a DCH. Subjects and Methods: Cancer patients receiving cancer surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy in our DCH, during the lockdown, were studied. Results: A total of 864 patients received treatment for cancer in our hospital during the period of March 20, 2020 - May 31, 2020. There were no COVID-related complications. The treatment of 109/864 patients (12.61%) was delayed due to the pandemic and lockdown situation and the treatment plan was changed for 84/864 (9.72%) patients. There were 21 deaths in these 864 patients (2.43%), but only two deaths were COVID related. Symptomatic patients were tested for COVID, and 3/864 patients (0.34%) were detected to be COVID positive. Conclusions: We successfully delivered cancer treatment to patients in our DCH. The percentage of adverse effects, symptomatic COVID infection, and related mortality has been very low in our study. Cancer care can be continued with due diligence even during this pandemic.
ABSTRACT
One of the major steps to prevent damage due to any pandemic is to focus on risk factors related to the disease. Tobacco consumption is emerging as a major factor out of all for COVID 19. There is hardly any country who has warned the public about this or has made the Tobacco control measures stringent in view of COVID 19. Factors making tobacco consumers more vulnerable to COVID 19 infections are low immunity, damaged cilia in smaller air ways leading to decreased lung capacity and previous history of respiratory illness. Smokers have more expression of ACE2 receptor gene which is also responsible for SARS-COV-2 virus replication in host. More viral load makes smokers potent “carrier”. COVID 19 can be transmitted via tobacco consumers by sharing of smoked tobacco and release of vapour droplets. Spitting of smokeless tobacco in public places puts community at risk. Cardiovascular diseases and cancers caused by tobacco consumption act as comorbidities aggravating the symptoms in COVID 19 infection. Scope of FCTC framework can be extended to address prevention and control of COVID 19. Recommendations: tobacco products should be banned immediately to control the spread. MPOWER strategy of FCTC can be utilized in this pandemic to prevent transmission. © 2020, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine. All rights reserved.