New Delhi: The second wave of Covid-19 has wreaked havoc in the nation with the death toll having risen sharply, compared to the previous wave. As the cases continue to rise, people still do not have accurate and concrete information about the Covid 19 spread. In this situation, ETV Bharat's senior correspondent Anamika Ratna spoke to Dr Girdhar Gyani, Director-General, Association of Healthcare Providers-India (AHPI), regarding the awareness and preparedness one needs to take on testing positive for Covid.
REPORTER: How effective is the vaccine in this wave?
Dr Girdhar Gyani: Vaccine is the only cure for this disease, treatment is only possible after a person contracts the infection, but still I would like to say that people need to overcome vaccine hesitancy, as it significantly reduces the impact caused by the virus.
REPORTER: Amid signs of vaccine shortage in the country, people are facing issues in getting the second dose. If there is a delay can it cause any problem?
Dr Girdhar Gyani: I believe AstraZeneca has higher coverage and in the first dose itself, the patient gets 70% protection from the disease. But I also want to say or appeal to the government to increase the duration of vaccine dosage from 8 weeks to 12 weeks and reduce the vaccine demand. Also, according to a report, the effect of the vaccine will be greater in 12 weeks.
REPORTER: India has approved the Sputnik-V vaccine, and there is an opinion among people that the Russian-made vaccine is effective than the indigenous vaccine.
Dr Girdhar Gyani: First of all, I would like to say that the Government of India took much time to allow Sputnik-V in India. The permit for the vaccine was sought 3 months ago. Now, irrespective of deciding whether it is from the country or abroad, people must take the vaccine because only then there will be sufficient antibodies in your body to withstand this pandemic, thereby reducing the mortality rate.
REPORTER: From May 1, all those aged above 18-years will be inoculated and all arrangements have been done amid signs of a vaccine shortage. Do you think the Health Department is ready for this?
Dr Girdhar Gyani: Here, I would like to say that there is a lot of communication gap regarding the pandemic, and it isn't right to simply blame the CM and PM, but I want to question what the Director-General Health, Secretary of Health are doing. Why are all these people not getting into the field, have you heard about the DG Health visiting any hospital or appeal to the people, or warn hospitals. The biggest drawback here is that medical leaders should have come forward, and create awareness about Covid among people. As this was not done, the pandemic has gone out of control.
REPORTER: There is an oxygen shortage and people aren't getting plasma either. What would you like to say about it?
Dr Girdhar Gyani: Here I would like to tell people clearly that Remdesivir has got nothing to do with the illness, not only that, there is no utilization of plasma as well, nor the role of antibiotic. All these things should be limited, especially when they are needed. To protect the lungs from being infected further, people must note that the most important thing to do is to go into self-isolation. Even if the government doesn't impose a lockdown, you need to completely stay locked in the house. Also, ensure that you wear a double mask. If you ask what is the medicine for this disease, then it is only oxygen, but people have started accumulating it and due to hoarding, those who are in dire need are not getting oxygen. So now medical colleges and hospitals are being threatened on behalf of the administration. I am even aware that doctors are arranging oxygen for their own hospitals by laying lines. Is it the job of doctors?
REPORTER: Do you also believe that the death toll is low or that the disease has been peaked?
Dr Girdhar Gyani: After the second wave, I don't believe that the death toll in the country has reduced and as far as Covid peak is concerned it is still yet to come, maybe by May 15, but the situation is very bad.
REPORTER: What would you like to say to the common people?
Dr Girdhar Gyani: Not me, but I will appeal to the media that the situation is very bad and the government and media should try to scare people as much as possible so that people lock themselves inside the house. The second thing people should take the vaccine seriously, still people are not serious about taking the vaccine.
