Sound healthcare

Notwithstanding the efforts done to restrict the spread of COVID-19, the novel contagion is spreading fast. Two weeks into its prudently imposed national lockdown, India hustles to prevent entering the stage of community transmission, restricting the proliferation of the spread only to local transmission. Cases are soaring with the count on Tuesday nearing 5,000 as the death toll hit 150. Lockdown reports have been unkind on our health-care workers. These undisputed heroes, braving the fight against the pandemic, have been subject not only to exhaustive work regime but social misbehaviour as well as high risk of contraction itself. The nation may have clapped for them and even lit earthen pots and candles in solidarity as per the prime minister's call. But that solidarity was not on display when reports of health-care workers being assaulted and manhandled on duty came to surface. Worse is the doctors and nurses as also other hospital staff being tested positive for COVID-19. Apart from many health-care workers who had to go into self-isolation and/or treatment after being exposed to the virus on account of lack of PPE or contact with asymptomatic patients, there are hospitals in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata that had to be sealed to contain the spread. Not to be considered as a necessary consequence but the possibility of these hospitals and their staff having infected many other patients who came there for other purposes cannot be ruled out. If an inadequate health-care system starts to lose whatever efficacy it has on account of health-care workers getting infected and quarantined, the consequence is unspeakable. Already, the health-workers at the frontline have left behind their families to work overtime in this battle. Monetary insurances mean nothing if the security of these doctors cannot be ensured. As much as India has made an effort to ensure that its health-care infrastructure is not overburdened by the impact of fast-rising cases, those who are running these health-care systems also need to be protected and adequately equipped. Call for additional PPEs has been a recurring requirement in the news since the pandemic dawned upon the nation. While PPEs can be procured, mindless ostracisation and assault on health-care workers are social evils that need to be solved at home.

The Union Health Ministry on Monday notified receiving 1.70 lakh PPEs from China and informed that a total of around 3 lakh PPEs have been supplied to states. With around 2 lakh domestically-produced N95 masks in transit to various hospitals, not only foreign orders but indigenous supplies can also help. Manufacture of five-layered N 99 face masks and low-cost full-body suits by DRDO will strengthen the PPE stock in India. Further, its reusable face shield will also be instrumental in preventing health-care workers from contracting the virus. Key is the massive production of all these items as fast as possible since the lockdown is nearing its end and several districts are entering an alarming phase. Reports of two PPE samples developed by Northern Railways being cleared by DRDO for production heralds well for our inventory. If optimum levels of PPE inventory are ensured, India can move ahead and export the same along the lines of China. But not at the cost of our own inventory. Further, the government has also advised the use of homemade face and mouth covers for common people which would be useful once the lockdown is lifted and the population emerges on streets. In this regard, the Self-Help Groups under National Rural Livelihood Mission have sprung into action, manufacturing around 132 lakh masks for public use. Not only will it ensure employment in such grim phase but the overall consequence of public safety will also be pursued with national vigour. While the administration does its job, a conscious citizenry, respecting health-care workers, would be pivotal to overcome the battle against this pandemic. And, a sound healthcare system efficiently discharging its role is integral to this consequence.