The country’s public health infrastructure is at a breaking point. Daily new cases have crossed the 400,000 mark and may increase manyfold in the coming days. The country has only approx. 75,000 ICUs whereas nearly every day, 75,000 ICU beds are needed as the wave strengthens.
The shortages of hospital beds and oxygen are widespread. Even if more hospitals are set up, there will be an acute shortage of nurses, doctors, paramedical staff, technicians et cetera. We need to figure out how to provide more healthcare professionals immediately.
Vaccination is the most potent tool to fight the coronavirus. We have opened vaccination to the entire adult population but do not have the required number of doses even though we are the largest producer of vaccines globally. Everything must be done on war footing to increase indigenous production, step up imports and provide universal access to the vaccine.
Society has been ravaged by the ferocity of the virus. It has caused severe socio-mental trauma. Children have been psychologically affected. Psychologists are warning of the imminent mental health pandemic. They must be listened to.
People have developed a feeling that they have been abandoned by the state. There is an urgent need for empathy and counselling. The country should mobilise its social and cultural resources to provide that healing touch.
All is not lost. Governments are doing their best but there is scope for better coordination and less bickering. Mutual help and support community groups have come up, instilling some hope. But they alone cannot suffice. They need massive help and encouragement from the governments. Without the participation of the community, the battle against the virus cannot be won.
One should not underestimate the severity of the problem and the long termimpact it may have on society. Healthcare workers, who are bearing the brunt of the ire of the relatives of the patients, must be protected. Healthcare staffs’ physical and psychological needs should also be taken care of.
Transparent communication is extremely essential. The government and its institutions should be seen in a leadership role. While there are a lot of dashboards, helplines and portals that have been set up, their services are inconsistent and uneven in quality. The government should set up robust helplines backed by sound technology and committed volunteers. For instance, there can be a nationwide portal providing the exact oxygen situation in the country, the availability of beds and medicine, access to the doctors through teleconsultation, et cetera.
Nearly 70 per cent of healthcare in the country is provided by the private sector. The government should incentivise the private sector to provide health care at affordable prices. For instance, help can be given to the private sector to set up oxygen plants in private hospitals.
The oxygen shortage should be dealt with at war footing. The experience of the Armed Forces in logistics should be utilised.
A few specific suggestions are:
We as a country and society are in for a long haul. The health crisis can easily turn into a national security crisis. We need to improve governance, delivery and implementation. This crisis allows us to overhaul our health system. The opportunity should not be missed.
(The paper is the author’s individual scholastic articulation. The author certifies that the article/paper is original in content, unpublished and it has not been submitted for publication/web upload elsewhere, and that the facts and figures quoted are duly referenced, as needed, and are believed to be correct). (The paper does not necessarily represent the organisational stance... More >>
Post new comment