Tuesday, March 24, 2015

H1N1 - Arsenic Album and Tamiflu

Contradictory statements irk CADA

IMPHAL, Mar 14: Pointing out that the Directors of State Health Dept and Ayush Dept have given contradictory statements in connection with Swine Flu precautionary measures much to the anxiety of the panic stricken public, Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) has urged the authorities concerned to clear all doubts for once and all immediately. Director of State Ayush Dept, Lokendro was quoted by local dailies as saying that homeopathic medicine Arsenic Album 30 helps in preventing Swine Flu. This has resulted in formation of queues at different outlets. The medicine has also been distributed to the public at various health centres, CADA said in a statement.

However, the statement of the Ayush Director was contradicted by State Health Dept Director O Ibomcha who in an exclusive interview given to AIR Imphal said that WHO and India Govt guidelines do not recognise the Ayush medicine Arsenic Album 30. And those who take the medicine are doing so at their own risk. Dr Ibomcha added, “we cannot recommend use of Arsenic Album and the only anti-viral medication used to prevent and treat H1N1 flu is Tamiflu.”

CADA, in a statement, said that the contradictory statements of the directors harboured anxiety among the public while urging the concerned to clear all doubts at the earliest.

CADA also appealed to the public not to rely on rumours spread on the epidemic.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, CMO Imphal East provided updated mobile numbers of Imphal East district Swine Flu monitoring cell.

Accordingly, the monitoring cell, for allopathic related matter, under CMO (IE) could be contacted at 9089141406/9862181907/9612478216/8415913585.

The cell could be contacted for Ayush related matter on 9436273946/8729810639 and 9774110181.
15-Mar-2015 / Our Staff Reporter

No comments:

Post a Comment