Recent novel Coronavirus [commonly called as COVID-19] outbreak exposed a lack of basic amenities in many countries to combat such infectious diseases. India with its massive population of 1.3 Billion cannot survive if the outbreak spreads unchecked therefore how India can learn from Coronavirus outbreak to tackle its major problems?
Major Problem -1
[Medical Research in India]
Indian Council of Medical Research is the apex body responsible for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research in the country.
It was estimated that more than 1600 crore were spent by ICMR between April 2015 and February 2017 but it could not list even a single research paper [out of 1685 in the above stated period] which can help to cure any disease.
Recently ICMR predicted in one of its research paper that home quarantine can reduce the rate of COVID-19 infection by 62%. however this can be a precautionary measure, not a perpetual solution.
For instance, Home Quarantine is widely used by all nations infected largely by COVID-19 outbreak and recently 21 days lockdown was announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India to counter this problem.
But India should prepare for more practical research in biomedical to counter such contagious viral outbreak in the future if any.
Major Problem -2
[Medicare Facilities]
Italy, even with 2nd best healthcare in the world, has completely surrendered ahead COVID-19 outbreak. Dr. SP Kalantri, the medical superintendent of the Kasturba Hospital in central India said, “If the current disease trajectory is anything to go by, we expect 1 million or 2 million deaths in India over a one-year
It was estimated that by 2024, India will reach the WHO Standard of 1:1000 population by current demographic trend. Today we are far behind than required.
Doctors and paramedical staff are in acute shortage especially in rural parts of the nation. It is estimated that a 50000 personal protective equipment kit is required for medical staff that will cure patients infected with corona but there are only a few companies that deal in PPE kits.
Apart from that, numbers of hospitals, ventilators, and other necessary medical equipments are in acute shortage. Consider the havoc situation – we have nowhere to go. Coronavirus outbreak has given a pathway to work for a safe and healthy future.
Major Problem -3
[Irresponsibility among Citizens]
Indian Prime Minister urged all citizens for self-quarantine to stop the corona community infection on 22nd March 2020. In addition, he also requested to pay respect to all medical and paramedical staff for their selfless duties amidst a pandemic outbreak by clapping or ringing bells.
In many parts of the nation, people assembled in large number marched processions with bells and conches. This was irresponsible behavior. Official news media, social media, advertisements were constantly circulating about Coronavirus and its contagiousness.
Such type of irresponsibility is viable in many instances in this nation. We have instructions in public places not to litter, not to spit – and we find lots of garbage exactly at the same place. When instruction issued not to go outside, people have special interest to move out at that time by ignoring instruction.
In Indian villages, there is a highly socialized culture. People are assembling in groups without any change in their routine. Still, Coronavirus outbreak affected upper-middle societies – if this outbreak encircled Indian villages, we cannot even imagine the seriousness of such conditions.
Police and administration are using force to put people quarantined at home; it is just showing an irresponsible behavior by citizens towards administrative guidance.
When there is a situation of global crisis – the boundaries of a nation does not matter. Such pandemics teach the value of humanity, life, and resources. The life of an individual is not ordinary to be lost in the scarcity of knowledge and awareness. Responsible behavior can help authorities countering the Coronavirus outbreak soon.
Major Problem -4
[Climate]
Coronavirus is being considered as a new enemy to mankind but inadvertently something good is also happening across the world; air quality index in all major cities across the globe has improved.
The whole world witnessed thousands of death in road accidents but after a lockdown in major countries – the statistics have shown a sharp decline in such deaths.
Coronavirus has inadvertently saved many deaths as well. In China alone, the two major air pollutants cause 1.1 million deaths & more than 20 million tonnes of rice, wheat, maize, and soyabean are also lost due to exposure to ozone.
We know history when ‘The Killer Fog’ in London in 1952 killed more than 12000 people. We learned no lesson and the number of death due to air pollution grew with each passing year. A report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that exposure to high levels of air pollution caused 412,000 premature deaths in previous years in Europe.
The situation in Indian metropolitan cities is worst in comparison to European cities. Air Quality Index of major cities in India is always at a dangerous level; exceeding the WHO guidelines. All the major studies suggest that air pollution can cause respiratory diseases, Lung cancer, weak pulmonary system and weak immunity; primarily dangerous to children and old people.
Coronavirus attacks on the respiratory system. A weak respiratory and pulmonary system of the body is more vulnerable to such contagious viral attacks. It should be the prime duty of every citizen to understand the threat of climate change, air and water pollution & excess emission of greenhouse gases.
Major Problem -5
[Public Distribution System]
A country of more than 1.3 billion people must have an effective public distribution system to provide food security to its every citizen. The recent lockdown of a nation for 21 days due to Coronavirus has raised many questions.
The government and local administration is doing the best to secure food security in such a havoc situation. Millions of people are below the poverty line in the country. There are millions of people – if they do not work; cannot secure food for their families. If Coronavirus spares them, hunger will kill. There are reports which stated such problems in PDS –
- Deficiencies of grains due to huge stocks
- The identification of the poor is not full proof.
- PDS includes few good grains like wheat and rice. It does not fulfill complete nutritional needs.
- Fair Price Shop owner gets fake Ration cards and sells the food grains in the open market.
These are routine loopholes. In a condition like a lockdown, this system may go worse.
The whole world will certainly win the war against Coronavirus. In addition, we will learn something from this pandemic outbreak. Threats are permanent. They appear in different forms – the one who can resolve the problem will certainly be a winner.