A saddening eventuality is confirmed with the introduction of the new protocol of discord that requires self-isolation for asymptomatic and vaccinated positives and the refusal to be screened in case of doubt by PCR and Rapid Testing in hospitals for asymptomatic and vaccinated people under 65. Dr Vasantrao Gujadhur is clear that he is in favour of self-isolation solution and living with Covid but not in such precarious conditions.
When Vaccine gags…
“The Ministry of Health is suffocating us with its successful vaccination campaign and letting everyone think that with their vaccination, they are relatively safe. The WHO is the first to say that vaccination protects, yes, but not at 100%. Each vaccine has its limit of protection, which varies between 70% and 95%. Vaccination does not guarantee that the vaccinated person is neither contaminable nor a transmitter. Worse, since he remains asymptomatic, if he contracts it and there are no major visible symptoms, he remains a powerful transmitter, and what about the unvaccinated or the unvaccinable, is he not prey to serious deterioration? Now he will be refused a test in case of doubt! Mauritius and Mauritians are worse than in the red. We are facing massive contamination as a result of these measures and considerations for fully vaccinated asymptomatic people,” says Dr Gujadhur.
Health as a low priority
“We don’t know where health is positioned. But the interests of the economy have since long moved to the forefront. I only see mismanagement at all levels and in every ministry directly related to the Ministry of Health or affected by the health crisis,” shoots the former Director of the Ministry of Health, Dr Vasantrao Gujadhur. He adds: “Schools are closing every day, so the ministries concerned are waiting for the holidays to put the public off. Ditto for offices and shops, people are at risk and businesses are going at a snail’s pace, testing by the health ministry on asymptomatic symptomatic cases is not being done, teams are now rarely dispatched for urgent screenings. Now with this new incomplete, misunderstood and unfit protocol to put into practice under such ill-considered conditions, the situation will worsen. I understand that quarantine costs Rs 2800 per head daily, but the Minister of Health seems to be unaware of the prerequisites for a move from quarantine to home isolation, and even with the announcement that the specialist will consult the patient only on the first and last days.”
Prerequisites: tools and secure accommodations
According to the doctor, the presence of a care-giver is very important because a house may contain several cases, or other members of the household of the infected person are direct contacts who must also observe self-isolation. They will have to find someone to take care of their basics because in case of breach of the Quarantine Act, the person risks a fine of Rs 500,000 and 5 years in prison. But most importantly, every infected person in self-isolation at home or every house, must carry a thermometer and a pulse oximeter and get tested at least three times a day and record every change in a Chart. “Has the ministry stocked up? The patient will have to be no higher than 37.8˚C and their blood oxygen level will have to remain at 94% to be eligible to continue self-isolation at home. If these levels are disturbed, he should be admitted without delay. Will this follow-up or return to the hotline 8924 be taken into consideration and will the intervention be quick?” asks Dr. Gujadhur. Second basic criterion, the location of the person: “Will each infected person have a private and separate room? Will their sanitary facilities be separate or disinfected properly after each use? It is not said enough, Covid is transmitted by all forms of fluids or bodily secretions!” He is especially concerned for those family members who are of advanced age or people at risk who are not allowed to be vaccinated as they suffer from severe forms of complications such as dialysis, kidney disorders, cancer… Namely, the population of Mauritius consists of 20% of confirmed diabetics, 20% of pre-diabetics and 30% of hypertension patients.
Curfew and alphabetical order are a must!
The country is already running in slow motion. The government can no longer afford a lockdown economically and cannot back out of the full reopening of borders. Dr Gujadhur proposes measures adopted and proven elsewhere “According to the CDC, Mauritius is a Red Flag country, to be accessed with vaccination and at personal risk. At least until October 1, the government should declare a curfew at latest 7 pm, reintroduce alphabetical order in places that attract crowds and ensure that barrier gestures are respected” asks Dr Gujadhur “We are already in a health crisis and living in the middle of an economic crisis, with its protocol measures the government is creating a social crisis” dixit the former director of the Ministry of Health.
