Dr DK Pandey
Whole world is watching that how Indians are handling COVID 19 pandemic ? With more than 55 lakh, India has reached at number 2 spot in terms of number of COVID 19 infections.
Although, the death rate of COVID 19 patients in India is about 1.6 , which is one of the lowest in world.Recovery rate is also better than many developed countries.
World over,the COVID 19 situation will worsen in coming weeks.India may become number one in terms of number of infections.
Indian health system is overburdened and it is loosing doctors and medical staff at fast pace.
It is a bad situation.
Hospitals without medical staff will be useless.It will create further panic.Private hospitals are not ready to handle COVID crisis.Most of private hospitals are doctor centric .
Only a doctor acts as owner and worker both.They are not ready to risk their life for few rupees.They will start operating after end of corona crisis.Opening a new hospital is a cumbersome process.So many licences are required for it.
No new player,even with correct intentions to ease out COVID pressure,will try to open a new hospital in this scenario.
World over,we are going through disaster- preparedness-fatigue-syndrome.It is more visible in India.
People are fed up with constant state of preparedness.It is a dangerous stage.
People get demotivated and abandon all precautions.The society becomes careless.
People start opposing all types of restrictions even if these are for their welfare.
We are witnessing this in Indian society.
We will have to motivate people again.
In this political leaders, religious organisations,educators,trade bodies,NGOs can play important roles in motivating people to follow precautions and protocols for COVID 19.
We must follow all precautions of sanitisation, social distancing and boosting our immunity.
Keeping oneself physically fit is essential.
It is being seen that a fit person is getting cured without any serious damage caused by COVID 19.Death rate among fit individuals is low.
Although, lockdown has been lifted, we must impose lockdown at our community level.
Home isolation and avoiding unsafe contact with infected persons are must.Eradication of COVID 19 pandemic will take time.It will continue for next year also.
Many COVID 19 vaccines are under final stages of trials.India, being the biggest producer of vaccines,will play important role.Because of this special advantage,availability of vaccine in India will be better.
Vaccines will ease some pressure in 2021.
However,vaccination for a population of 133 crore is a big economic and management challenge for India.
It will be a big test for government and society both.
To sum up,it can be said that self discipline, high level of positivity, obedience of various COVID 19 protocols, keeping oneself fit, better flow of correct information about COVID 19 pandemic and motivating others are weapons of an individual to fight the corona crisis.
