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by D Kumar
How world will fight COVID 19 pandemic? is a common question being asked by people after declaration of pandemic.This virus is spreading rapidly .Till,12th March,2020, it has infected 125000 persons and killed 4600 persons.It has gripped 118 countries.
Recent example of China shows that COVID 19 can be controlled through taking strong and targeted measures.Hong Kong and India are,to an extent, are able to contain it in spite of the fact that these countries share border with China. Both nations have large number of people working and moving in and out of China.
India has evacuated more than 900 persons from across the world and successfully quarantined them. It has managed large movement of Indians from other nations.
The Indian model of evacuation of its citizens and keeping them in quarantine camps for at least 2 weeks and testing them twice is very successful till date.In this effort , ITBP and Army have played very important role.
This pandemic can be controlled.WHO has echoed this sentiment. Countries that decide to give up on fundamental public health measures may end up with a larger problem, and a heavier burden on the health system that requires more severe measures to control. said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus ,Director General of WHO while briefing media on 12th March,2020.
Different countries have to take customised steps as per different social,economic,political and climatic circumstances.Containment should be main aim of the whole exercise as there is no cure for COVID 19 .
WHO has advocated a four-pronged strategy.It is being explained below:-
Still 77 countries and territories are free from COVID 19 infection. About 55 countries and territories that have reported 10 cases or less.
All these countries have a good window of opportunity. All unaffected areas/countries can prepare themselves to keep them free from COVID 19. They can motivate and prepare their citizens to take all precautions.They can prepare their health facilities.They can take appropriate control measures to check movements on their borders,ports and airports.
You can’t fight an enemy unless you know its exact location,character, strength and weaknesses. Detection is the prime instrument to know the enemy COVID 19 virus.
All nation have to create a very strong and effective surveillance system to detect, isolate, test and treat each case. Breaking the chains of transmission of COVID 19 virus is very important.
Reduction in number /rate of transmission is important to kill this pandemic. It is very important that each infection is found and isolated. It is essential to quarantine all persons who have come in contact of an infected person.
WHO DG said Even if you cannot stop transmission, you can slow it down and protect health facilities, old age homes and other vital areas – but only if you test all suspected cases.
COVID 19 virus is a brand new and it has created many new problems for governments and health care personnel. We are in early stage of learning.
Irony is that we have to fight an enemy about which we know very little.
Finding a cure or an effective instrument , to prevent the infection of COVID 19 virus, is a big challenge. We have to prevent infections and save lives.
Innovation and improvement of tools and tactics of this fight will be essential.
A major challenge is to minimise its social,economic and political impact.Till date its economic consequences are huge. WHO DG rightly says All countries have lessons to share.
Thankfully most of major nations are working in right directions.Few selfish deviations are visible. However,time and conditions will compel each nation to fall in the correct line.This pandemic can be fought only with an effective global collaboration.
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