Mizoram health minister Dr R Lalthangliana on Tuesday cautioned people against buying and consumption of Chloroquine Hydrxychloroquine or Azithromycin without a prescription.
The health minister said he came to learn that certain people have bought the medicines without doctor’s prescription.
“These medicines are powerful drugs and its consumption on self prescription can cause side effects. People should avoid taking such medicines without a prescription by medical practitioner,” he said.
Meanwhile, health and family welfare board vice chairman Dr Z R Thiamsanga asked people not to hoard personal protective equipment (PPE).
Speaking to reporters in Aizawl, he said the PPE is meant for health workers and frontline workers.
“I request to those, who have already purchased the equipment, to donate the same to the authority,” he said.
He said the government has planned to distribute PPE and other protective equipment to all district hospitals and primary healthcare center across the State.
Thiamsanga, who headed COVID-19 medical operation committee said the next one week is crucial for the people to stay home as there is the possibility of the virus being spread on large scale.
Dr Hrekima, psychiatrist and member of the committee, pointed out that Mizoram is currently in stage one.
According to him there are four stages in the spread of coronavirus.
The first stage is related with imported case, second state to local transmission, third stage is community transmission and in stage four the virus turns into pandemic, he said.
He also advised to strictly adhere to social distancing norms and wash their hands regularly.