Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an advisory regarding proning exercise for Covid patients in hospitals, so that they may not require additional oxygen support.
Proning a medically approved position, in which patients are made to lie on their abdomen to boost their oxygen levels.
While proned, the patient is made to lie on his/her belly using pillows. One can also lie on their right side (right lateral), left side (left lateral) or sit at a 60-90 degree angle in the ‘fowler position’.
Doctors suggest that a patient remain prone for a minimum of 30 minutes to a maximum of 2 hours. This helps improve ventilation to the lungs and hence oxygen levels start improving.
As the second wave of Covid-19 sweeps through the country with deadly consequences, doctors across the state have started advocating proning exercises to improve oxygen levels in Covid positive patients- both in home isolation as well as in hospital.