Even if Covid-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh are showing a steady decline, the state government has more cause for concern, as reports suggest that about 49 percent of Covid deaths occurring in the state are due to increased diabetes.
Data available to the National Health Mission clearly shows that 48.1 percent of deaths in the past three days were due to diabetes in the Covid-19 patients.
In the past few days, senior lawyer Ramakant Sharma, who was also chairman of the Himachal High Court Bar Association, and two other lawyers have succumbed to Covid-19. All of the lawyers died of complications after Covid due to diabetes.
Concerned about the death of diabetics, the state government on Thursday issued new guidelines to health facilities and medical universities for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in Covid 19 patients.
Dr. Nipun Jindal, Mission Director National Health Mission (NHM), said that patients with normal glucose levels developed elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) during the course of the viral disease, especially in severe cases of Covid.
“The steroids given during severe Covid complications also contribute to hyperglycemia in such individuals. Therefore, rigorous glycemic evaluation and drug selection in these patients is a dynamic and ongoing process, ”said Dr. Jindal.
Analysis of last week’s data found that diabetes mellitus contributed 49.5 percent of deaths, while 45 percent had high blood pressure as a key factor and 9.5 percent of patients had kidney problems.
Dr. Jindal said that according to guidelines from the Government of India, instructions have been given to Covid care facilities that any patient with at least two capillary blood sugar levels should be screened for hyperglycemia. Any patient confirmed to have diabetes status should begin treatment for it and be on a diabetic diet.
He pointed out that Covid-19 patients and suspects in domestic isolation should ensure that they are registered in Himachal’s Covid Care app and should be in regular contact with the treating doctors. Such patients should regularly check their blood sugar levels and continue to take their medication as recommended by their doctors.
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