The COVID-19 virus, which has spread throughout the four corners of the world, has led us to face challenges without precedents. This pandemic has thrown up new challenges which we have never faced before. Many new variants of Covid-19 have already emerged against which vaccine may not be effective enough. Long Covid is another major concern.
Meanwhile, our health system had been collapsed at the time of crisis and need. Now, the third wave is approaching us. Several predictions have been made by the experts. Even if, different mathematical modulation differ on severity and onset of the third wave, it seems inevitable. The goal to vaccinate the nation by the end of this year lags behind the target. Shocking images of revenge tourism and an unmasked crowd after the unlock process starts might be able to prepone the disaster. So, the question arises what lessons we, sarkar and samaj, have learned from deadly second wave, what are challenges ahead considering the third wave, and what needs to be done immediately.
Therefore, to find the answers to these questions a webinar had been organized recently by the COVID Response Coordination Committee and Health Wire Media. COVID Response Coordination Committee is an association of group of civil society organizations of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh lead by PAIRVI.
A distinguished panel was a part of the webinar who shared their insights on the topic. A couple of panelists from UK and UAE also shared their experiences and responses of respective governments.
COVID Response Coordination Committee is an association of group of civil society organizations of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh lead by PAIRVI. The campaign was started during April when the situation was extremely bad and people were scared and running in despair.
Speaking in the webinar Dr. AK Kumar, Senior Specialist & Head, Department of Medicine, IGESI Hospital, Delhi said “that both the government and society need to play a collective partnership. It is very important to follow the conduct according to COVID, only then we will be able to win this war. A little carelessness can cost a lot.”
Participating in the discussion, Ajay Jha, the director of PAIRVI said that Corona has increased poverty, inequality, and hunger all over the world. This pandemic has underscored the importance of community. Community values need to be further strengthened. This pandemic is a zoonotic disease. Climate change can trigger such disasters. That is why we have to keep nature at the center of our economic development.
Expert Dr. Neelam Mohan, Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon said that this virus is continuously changing its form, in an unvaccinated population, it changes its form more rapidly. That’s why it is important that everyone gets vaccinated. Keep in mind that antibodies are not permanent. We will also need a booster dose. There is a need to be aware of children in the pandemic. To increase the immunity of children, attention will have to be paid to their diet, sleep, exercise, and mental health. Parents of children must vaccinate.
Dr. Anandmayee Sinha, Gynecologist, who participated in the discussion from Abu Dhabi, said that the doctors and other staff of the country who have worked continuously for the last 18 months are now tired. Keeping in view the imminent danger, there is a need to further strengthen the essential health service.
Dr. Kiran Sinha, General Practitioner, London said that there is a need to be more aware of air-borne viruses. We need to work with small groups. He cautioned on the excessive use of steroids, saying that it can be dangerous.