Dr. Sumaiya Shaikh, Author at Alt News

Chyawanprash lacks research against COVID-19, Dabur puts out misleading ad

Ronak Borana & Dr. Sumaiya Shaikh4th April 20214th April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has given a big boost to the Ayurvedic and other alternative therapeutics industry. Despite limited evidence, several ayurvedic products are being endorsed by many including the health…

Science

Fact-check: Efficacy of Ashwagandha in AYUSH standard treatment protocol for COVID-19

Dr. Sumaiya Shaikh & Dr Sharfaroz Satani8th November 2020

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, symptoms such as pneumonia, clotting complications, acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock are reported in many cases of the infection. While these symptoms…

Science

AYUSH Kwath or Kadha cannot ‘boost’ immunity to fight against COVID-19

Dr Sharfaroz Satani & Dr. Sumaiya Shaikh10th August 202027th September 2020

On April 24 2020, the Ministry of AYUSH promoted a herbal formulation called AYUSH Kwath for ‘immunity boosting’ of the masses for the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry requested the State/UT…

Science

Viral photo does not show Bharat Biotech’s VP taking first dose of COVID vaccine ‘Covaxin’

Dr. Sumaiya Shaikh & Pratik Sinha3rd July 20203rd July 2020

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has written to Bharat Biotech India Ltd (BBIL) to step up the clinical trials for their jointly-developed COVID-19 vaccine (BBV152 COVID vaccine) or…

Science

Homeopathic drugs such as Arsenicum Album 30, promoted by AYUSH, do not boost immunity against COVID

Dr. Sumaiya Shaikh30th June 20202nd September 2020

Overview: Despite the order from the Ministry of AYUSH to prevent the public advertisement of AYUSH-related claims for COVID-19, many Indian states, particularly larger cities such as Pune, Vadodara, Mumbai…

Science

Home remedies by Ayurved Parameshwar Arora: Are they effective in curing coronavirus?

Dr Sharfaroz Satani & Dr. Sumaiya Shaikh26th June 202026th June 2020

A person called Dheeraj Sharma posted a viral video on Facebook of Dr Parameshwar Arora MD (Ayurveda), a senior consultant at Sir Gangaram hospital, New Delhi addressing passersby on the…

Science

Coronil lacks scientific basis as a cure for COVID-19 based on evidence shared by Patanjali

Dr. Sumaiya Shaikh24th June 202030th June 2020

Patanjali Ayurved launched an ayurvedic treatment kit called ‘Coronil’ as a ‘cure’ for COVID-19. Indian media outlets ran shows on the kit, referring to it as a ‘breakthrough’ in coronavirus…

Science

Indians do not have genetic protection against coronavirus, published research incorrectly interpreted

Dr. Sumaiya Shaikh, Alka Rao & Peeyush Prasad4th April 20205th April 2020

An opinion piece published on Livemint by Sandipan Deb claimed that COVID-19 will not affect Indians as they have the genetics for a sturdier immune system. When questioned on Twitter,…

Science

Social distancing is imperative but 14-hour ‘Janta curfew’ will not break the cycle of infection

Dr. Sumaiya Shaikh21st March 202021st March 2020

On March 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a 29-minute address to take precautionary measures including observing a ‘Janta Curfew’ on March 22 from 7 AM to 9 PM to…

Science

Sci-check: Lifespan of coronavirus outside the human body on different surfaces

Dr. Sumaiya Shaikh20th March 2020

Several messages circulating on social media have made claims regarding the lifespan of the coronavirus outside the human body. CLAIM 1. If the coronavirus falls on a metal surface, it…