Director of the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Dr Randeep Guleria said that COVID-19 is not a serious disease.
Addressing the media in New Delhi on Thursday, Guleria said, “90 to 95 per cent COVID-19 patients. We have to remember that this is a disease which is not that serious.”
Guleria’s statement came in context with the rising stigma associated with COVID-19 treatment in the country.
“A lot of patients are facing undue stigma linked to the disease and its treatment. This needs to end,” he further said.
He further added that the stigma is actually causing an increase in morbidity and mortality.
“Because of this stigma, several patients having COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms are not coming for check-ups,” he added.
“If due to the stigma we do not come forward, we may land up in a situation where we have higher mortality because of our delay in treatment,” the AIIMS director further added.
“Majority of COVID-19 patients only require supportive treatment and only around 15 per cent require oxygen therapy along with drugs,” he further added.