Hyderabad: The deaths caused by the COVID pandemic have crossed one million. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the figure may cross two million if the affected countries do not make concerted efforts to contain the spread. But the moot question is whether we all are prepared to undertake such huge effort to avert the crisis at hand.
The WHO finds fault with the unilateral attitude of some countries and their inability to understand that ‘nobody is safe at all until everybody is safe’. While less than 4,650 people died in China because of novel coronavirus, the number of deaths cross two lakhs in countries like America which boasts of having an advanced healthcare system. India also sailing in the same boat with regard to the number of deaths reaching a lakh in just one week.
Although the increase in the number of people recovering from the virus infection and the declining mortality rate is a promising development, the rise in daily cases poses new challenges. While it is the duty of the governments to provide proper medical care to the affected people, only increased awareness among people can avert further damage. Although 90 percent of of the population in the country is aware of the importance of wearing masks, the fact that only 44 percent of the people strictly follows it, is distressing. The silly excuse that wearing the mask is suffocating and the false notion that maintaining physical distance from people alone can avert the threat of infection, are equivalent to voluntarily contracting the virus and jeopardising the health of others intentionally.
The million-dollar question that everyone in the world has is “When will we be able to win the battle against the COVID pandemic?” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India will reach out to all countries with COVID drug production and supply capabilities. India has assured its support to the respective countries to increase their cold storages capacity. Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute asks, “If the vaccine is to be brought within the reach of everyone in the country, the Central Ministry of Health will need to spend Rs. 80,000 crore next year. Is the government ready with the amount?"
Vaccines developed by Bharat Biotech, Zydus Cadila and Serum Institute are in the human experimental stage. The Central and State governments have to initiate a scientific and coordinated health-care strategy for the 130 crore people. According to news reports, the Centre is considering a scheme to supply the vaccine in all districts in a phased manner, utilizing the universal immunization program being implemented since 1978. The pharmaceutical giants in India are confident that they will be able to produce the life-saving vaccine and meet the global requirements.
Although research has not yet confirmed which vaccine will meet the Corona immunity and safety standards, the United States, Europe, Britain and Japan have already entered into pre-agreements for the purchase of 130 crore doses. To ensure that only the wealthy countries possess the medicine, the World Health Organization (WHO) has teamed up with the Vaccine Alliance and prepared plans to provide 200 crore doses to all the third world countries. Until the vaccine is successfully manufactured, it is imperative that all precautionary measures, keeping in mind ‘one for all, and all for one.’
