50% Coronavirus patients at Lucknow's SGPGIMS have diabetes as the comorbid condition

Nearly 50 per cent of patients at Lucknow's Rajdhani Covid-19 Hospital (RCH) in Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) have been found to have diabetes as the comorbid condition. Patients with comorbidities are not only far more vulnerable to infection of the coronavirus but their weakened immunity also responds rather slowly to medical treatment and methods.

Co-morbid Patients cluster in city hospital

A medical history of diabetes has a varying impact on several bodily organs, it slows down the response to treatment, delaying recovery and revival. Prof R.K Singh, medical superintendent at the Rajdhani Covid-19 Hospital said, "Diabetes affects each part of the body in different degrees and ways. Therefore, when the body is under attack by any infection, Covid-19 in this case, the management is as challenging as filling water in a bucket with several holes." According to him, "Diabetes is the commonest comorbidity seen in patients at our centre, followed by hypertension. Patients with organ dysfunction, particularly lungs and kidneys, form the next big chunk."

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The pattern speaks for a national trend observed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which has come up with specific guidelines for the management of Covid-19 patients having a history of diabetes. About the visibly high death rate, Singh said, "We keep track of every case at our centre at two levels- physically by attending doctors and virtually by a team of experts comprising the director. But the fact that we are a tertiary care centre and attend to the most serious cases not only from Lucknow but also other districts cannot be denied. Over 75 per cent of the deaths can be attributed to comorbid conditions."

SGPGIMS director Prof R.K. Dhiman further informed that, "We have had nearly 850 positive persons till now, of whom 71 per cent are male. Of the total patients, about 70 per cent have recovered. An eight-month-old baby was our youngest case, while a 90-year-old woman was our oldest patient to beat the pandemic virus."

Precaution is always better than cure!

The news of elderlies fighting and winning their battles against the virus, brings a lot of hope and courage to other people going through the same situation. The virus can clearly be defeated but for that to happen, it is important we stay indoors as much as possible. Follow the guidelines and safety protocols at all times to stay clear of the virus at all times.