Hyderabad: The entire world has been unitedly fighting COVID-19 for the past 10 months. The worldwide coronavirus death toll has exceeded 10,00,000. Right from the nations with top-class healthcare facilities to nations like India with average capabilities; the pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in the existing systems.
As the contagion intensified, developing nations are struggling to ensure medical attention to non-COVID health services. In fact, the latest Lancet survey identified 15 diseases that are more fatal than corona.
Each of them accounts for 10,00,000 deaths annually. This study stresses the need to reform our actual healthcare strategies. From cardiac diseases (1.78 crore), cancers (96 lakh), renal diseases (12 lakh) to tuberculosis (11 lakh), these diseases are killing 4.43 crore people every year.
Crucial medical facilities for these diseases are substandard in most places. During the first three months of COVID-19 outbreak, 2.84 crore surgeries worldwide (including 5.8 lakh in India) were indefinitely postponed. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that 16.6 lakh people may succumb to tuberculosis this year due to a shortage of medical facilities. Will the situation change after all?
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According to the National Health Mission census, lakhs of children across the country have missed immunization schedules in March 2020 alone. There are no doctors to diagnose non-corona ailments. A pregnant Hyderabad woman and her fetus died as hospitals denied admission. The majority of private hospitals have cancelled emergency services like dialysis, chemotherapy, blood transfusion, and child delivery during the lockdown.
The Center released strict guidelines and ordered the hospitals to ensure full functioning. But recently, the Union Health Ministry directed the eye care facilities in containment zones to remain closed. Official and unofficial bans are making access to healthcare a mirage for many.
Despite official orders from the PMO to strengthen healthcare systems amid monsoons and mosquito-borne infections, the actual situation is only worsening.
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An estimated 9 crore Indians are currently suffering from rare diseases like thalassemia and muscular dystrophy. Lakhs of people are suffering from other chronic diseases. While hospitals are overloaded with corona patients, the health condition of patients with long-term conditions is deteriorating. The government must act swiftly and provide equivalent amenities for non-COVID health issues.
