COVID-19 Crisis in India: Threats and Opportunities

Abstract

Covid-19 catastrophe in India during the first half of 2021 has been a matter of great concern for policy makers, health institutions and the government. A country of 1.4 billion has passed 29m Covid-19 infections and 351,300 deaths. India is likely to have more new cases per day from the beginning of August 2021. Strains of Concern and the Strains of Interest (new and emerging mutants have contributed to increased morbidity and mortality. Emergence of mucormycosis (black fungus) during the ongoing pandemic is a bigger challenge to India, Action on a war-footing is needed to save lives by expanding and upgrading healthcare facilities more so in rural areas. 233 million doses of the COVID vaccine have been given in India. More than 45 million people have received two doses of the vaccine (fully vaccinated). The third Phase of the vaccination has coincided with an acute vaccine supply shortage across the country. India’s monthly COVID vaccine manufacturing capacity is about 60-65 million doses against the final requirement of 1.45 billion doses to cover 70 per cent adults. Investing in health is crucial. India’s health system is overwhelmed. Hospitals are running out of oxygen supplies, ventilators and beds. It is a situation that needs a global approach. Tiding over a pandemic requires detailed preparation at multiple levels on the part of the State. Vaccination drive to cover all is crucial. Global partners have a responsibility to support India in mass production of vaccines. Developed economies must support the scale-up of lab testing and genomic sequencing of virus. Developed nations should also provide technical assistance, help India in training its health professionals and provide logistic support (oxygen canisters/concentrators/cylinders/ medications/PPEs, establishing/operationalising field hospitals/quarantine centres), strengthening surveillance systems, data management like accurate reporting of cases and deaths besides temporality taking out manufacturing of life-saving vaccines/drugs from India to other parts of the world during the crisis.