Non-availability of Remdesivir leaves Covid-19 patients helpless

Remdesivir, an anti-viral drug that is crucial for the treatment of Covid patients isn't available in Jammu and Kashmir. As this medicine is supplied only in government hospitals, it is impossible to get it from private pharmaceutical companies.

Srinagar (J&K): The condition of Covid-19 patients in Jammu and Kashmir's hospitals is deteriorating due to the non-availability of anti-viral drug 'Remdesivir'. There has been a surge in Covid infections and the kith and kin of the patients are helpless.

As this medicine is supplied only in government hospitals, it is impossible to get it from private pharmaceutical companies.

Talking to ETV Bharat, family members of Covid patients at the SMHS hospital in Srinagar said that for a week now Remdesivir isn't available in the hospital pharmacy and that the hospital authorities have told them that the government is not supplying them with the medicine.

According to some doctors, who spoke to ETV Bharat, the medicine is not available even in Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, the Chest Disease Hospital (CD)- GMC, Jammu, and others causing trouble to patients. The doctors said that they are dependent on the oxygen supply for now.

Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan, posted at SMHS Hospital Srinagar, said that while Remdesivir is not a cure to Covid-19, it definitely helps in the treatment. "It is the callousness of the authorities that Remdesivir is not available and patients have to suffer," he added.

According to sources, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had been supplied with 10,000 Remdesivir vials on a weekly basis, but for the last few weeks, the supply has been halted.

When ETV Bharat tried to contact Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, J&K, Atal Dulloo, he did not receive the call.

Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a sudden spike in the Covid-19 cases last week and the administration has ordered a partial lockdown in the Union Territory.