Dr Sandhya Ramanatha, General Practitioner in Grey Lynn, Auckland, has become a social media sensation in the last two months where she shared an eighteen-minute-long video of home medical management plan for treating mild COVID-19.

From 18 to 5.42K subscribers on YouTube, to getting circulated on Whatsapp that further landed in the medical circle all across the globe, and finally getting picked up by various media outlets, particularly in India, she now has more that 4.4 million views of her video.

No, she has not come out with a magical vaccine or medication for this cruel virus, but has asked everyone to find solutions in simple things around to fight this pandemic.

“You have to actively fight it! Focus on finding solutions and applying common sense rather than letting this rule you,” she says.

Wearing mask is one such solution which she says can reduce the risk of catching the virus. It’s simple and effective, maintaining that distance and washing hands regularly.

“Nothing I have said will cause harm, in fact, the management plan is not only for COVID-19, its relevant for any virus,” Dr Sandhya explains, backed by the philosophy of treating every patient like a family member.

Ramanathan’s management plan has recommendation for equipments to keep at home for managing the mild symptoms. This is in context to cities and towns where the access to hospital level care is difficult. This originated from her intention to help her family overseas in countries like the UK, US, Australia, and India.

Thereafter, in her video she prescribes an active home management plan divided into three broad categories, priming immunity, reducing viral load and breathing exercises/positioning. This would help anyone optimally manage a mild case of coronavirus at home and prevent it becoming severe.

When she talks about reducing viral load i.e Betadine or saline gargles twice daily, Saline nasal spray or rinsing with a few drops betadine concentrate twice daily, steam inhalation with vicks especially if having loss of smell and nasal decongestants; her emphasis on keeping the upper respiratory tract clear and preventing further spread of infection in the channel is evident.

“Knowledge is power, information that is relevant needs to be clearly communicated to people,” says the motivated doctor who is on a mission to empower people and raise awareness.

In New Zealand, it is important for people not to panic as this can affect immunity.

Anxiety management and looking after themselves is of utter most importance at this hour. “The more you educate yourself, including children the better it would be. People are looking for information from a credible source and giving them the right kind of knowledge is essential,” explains Dr Ramanathan.

Humbled with the kind of response she has got from everywhere, she is just doing her best and wants to save lives in this era where the world still has not got any respite from the pandemic which is spreading like wild fire. New Zealand being gripped by second wave at present.

-Vritti Parasher