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Objective To assess the efficacy of Favipiravir compared to the standard therapy in treating patients with severe COVID-19 infection. Methods This is a retrospective cohort of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who were treated with favipiravir, versus comparison group that received the standard of care. Results A total of 226 patients were included; 110 patients received favipiravir and 116 patients received standard of care. Patients who received favipiravir had longer time to recovery (14.2 ± 8.8 versus 12.8 ± 5.2, p = 0.17). Favipiravir was associated with an improved early day 14 mortality (4 [3.6%] versus 11 [9.5%]), p = 0.008), but was associated with a higher day 28 mortality (26 [23.6%] versus 11 [9.5%], p = 0.02). The overall mortality was higher in the favipiravir versus the standard of care group but difference was not statistically significant (33 [30.0%] versus 24 [20.7%], p = 0.10). Conclusion The addition of favipiravir to standard of care was not associated with any improvement in clinical outcomes or mortality. Larger randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to further assess the efficacy of favipiravir.

The purpose of this paper was to examine the cultural barriers that existed at various stages of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation process, using the Middle-Eastern oil and gas sector as a case study. Due to a variety of cultural implications, ERP implementation rates in the oil and gas sector in Middle-Eastern developing countries are extremely low. Although the literature highlighted numerous ERP implementation theories that attempted to overcome the cultural complexities of ERP systems, there are few studies that have framed these complexities using action research theory in order to provide potential solutions to these challenges, particularly in Middle-Eastern developing countries where cultural settings are distinct from those in Western developed countries. Action research AR, in conjunction with documentation, observations, and interviews, aided in the exploration of the culturally complex barriers encountered during the pre-implementation (plan and propose), implementation (do), and post-implementation (assess and improve) stages of ERP projects conducted within a Middle-Eastern oil and gas organisation. This article confirms numerous cultural implications at each stage of the ERP implementation process, including team conflict, managerial authority, and a lack of an IT culture, all of which contributed to the project's delay. Other impediments, such as a lack of commitment to training and technophobia, persisted throughout the post-implementation phase and the subsequent follow-up experience under the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This article contributes to theory and practise by highlighting the culturally complex barriers that underpin many ERP implementations in the Middle Eastern oil and gas sector. This information can assist practitioners and researchers in developing future research and ideas to mitigate future ERP implementation challenges in this region.

Maternal mortality is a significant challenge faced worldwide. Reduction in maternal mortality is one of the integral goals of Millennium development goal and sustainable development goal. Obstetric complications are the leading cause of maternal mortality. Untreated non-emergent obstetric complications can also lead to severe implications and complications thus assessment, early detection and management of such complications is critical especially at primary healthcare level since it is the immediate contact. The purpose of this research is to review the available information about non-emergent obstetric complications and their management in primary care. During pregnancy, women often visit their primary care providers because of common ailments which may be caused or exacerbated during pregnancy, also may require special attention for healthy maternal and fetal outcomes. Primary care physicians should be familiar with the distinct diagnosis of obstetric complications and in case of emergency provide timely referrals. Primary care physicians by their effective intervention and management of non-emergent obstetric complications can efficiently reduce health risk of serious complications including routine screening for anaemia, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes to avoid significant morbidity. Primary care physicians can also reduce the burden of antenatal depression by providing psychological counselling at primary centres. Primary healthcare services have critical role in assessment and management of non-emergent obstetric complications however the available literature is quite limited and scarce in this aspect and further research can only be beneficial in highlighting its role.