Goa on Monday became the first Indian state to clear a new COVID-19 treatment protocol.
Health experts have recommended that everyone above 18 years of age can take five tablets of the ivermectin drug to prevent steep fever, which can sometimes turn fatal in case of COVID-19 infection.
Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug which is being touted as a miracle cure by experts the world over, will be made available at all health centres in the state and should be taken by all, irrespective of whether they have COVID symptoms or otherwise, informed Health minister Vishwajit Rane.
“We are giving this as a prophylaxis treatment, as a preventive. Ivermectin tablets will be given to all patients above 18 years at government health centres,” he said.
“Patients will be treated with ivermectin 12mg for a period of five days. Expert panels from the UK, Italy, Spain and Japan, found a large, statistically significant reduction in mortality, time to recovery and viral clearance in COVID-19 patients treated with ivermectin,” Rane further said.
The minister warned that those having ivermectin should not have a false sense of security and complacency, but continue to follow all precautionary measures strictly.
India, along with countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Mexico has approved the drug for use by medical professionals.
