Heartbeat: SWB medics saving lives virtually
July 20, 2021
They are the SWB doctors who are saving lives in India by offering vital medical advice through video and teleconsultations.
Dr Anand Arora has been carrying out the consultations through the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine, working alongside other medics, in delivering virtual care to patients and also Indian clinicians.
“Some of the patients are in a very bad way,” he explained. “They have been taking steroids unnecessarily which has led to complications, including fungal infections and other life-threatening illnesses.
“My colleagues and I are able to offer medical advice to them because we speak their language and can help them.
“I feel good to be able to help in a small way by doing something, whatever I can to help the people of India at such a dreadful time.”
Dr Arora usually carries out six to seven consultations a day, either through WhatsApp or Zoom. In total he estimates he has offered medical advice up to 80 times and has also introduced many medics to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, another successful treatment for COVID patients.
“I have lots of family there, including my father, sister and my wife’s immediate family. They are safe but have been listening to the advice I have given them throughout the pandemic.”
Dr Arora joined the Trust in 2007 as a consultant in intensive care and anaesthetics. As well as offering the teleconsultations, he has also been instrumental in pushing forward the ‘Awake Proning ‘ treatment method.
“We recognised how the condition of the patient improved on lying prone,” he explained.
“Their oxygen saturation improved and many avoided admission to intensive care. Junior doctors working with us put forward an idea about capturing this new method on film and we worked with the communications team in producing photographic and video content.
“This was shared on the Trust’s YouTube channel and has been viewed more than 37,000 times.”
Dr Arora has also recorded a shorter Hindi version of the awake proning video specifically for patients unable to get hospital treatment in India. They are able to follow the simple instructions in Hindi which is widely understood across the country.
He added: “Awake proning can be lifesaving, especially when there is a resource crunch and lack of oxygen supply and hospital beds. It is being followed by those infected in India at home because of the current terrible situation
“I hope that this video will reach those who are unable to get to hospital and that ultimately it saves lives. I would urge colleagues to share this so we can get instructions on how to carry out this important technique out there.”