Press Release
In a live webinar hosted by the IAS Literary Society, Rajasthan on Tuesday evening on their Facebook page, viewers learned about ‘Post Covid Care’ and rehabilitation of recovered patients. The webinar was addressed by Neurorehab Specialist & Director Centre for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Dr. Abhishek Srivastava. He was in conversation with Literary Secretary, IAS Association, Rajasthan, Ms. Mugdha Sinha. It was presented in collaboration with Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai. The webinar was held as a part of YASH (Year of Awareness on Science and Health), 2020 Dialogue Series.
Talking about facilities provided by rehabilitation professionals, Dr. Srivastava said that specialised rehabilitation professionals can provide assistance in improving oxygenation, clearance of airway secretion and ventilation weaning. They can also play a role in promoting nutrition and preventing aspiration pneumonia especially post-intubation. Rehabilitation interventions may also focus on addressing ongoing improvements in mobility, respiratory function, cognition, swallow and nutrition, and communication. These professionals help significantly in discharge preparation and planning which can be particularly complex for older patients and those with comorbidities.
Talking about cognitive impairment impacted by Covid, he further said that the disease itself may be multiplied by forced quarantine to combat the virus which can produce acute panic, anxiety obsessive behaviour, hoarding, paranoia and depression. Frontline healthcare workers are also at a high risk of contracting the disease and experiencing adverse psychological outcomes like anxiety, fear of transmitting infection, feeling of incompatibility, depression, increase substance-dependence and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The psychological impact of Covid-19 in the general population can be prevented by strategies at the community level like implementing effective communication and providing adequate psychological services.
He also said that if every one wears a mask, practices proper hand hygiene and avoids going out unless essential, the risk of contracting Covid-19 is minimal. Furthermore, if one has tested negative for Covid but they continue to show symptoms of the virus, even then they should isolate themselves for 14 days.