COVID-19 pandemic in India: challenges and silver linings

Kamath, Sudha D.; Kamath, Rajesh; Salins, Prajwal

doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-137780

Cited by 40 publications

(45 citation statements)

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“…The active tracking systems in for instance in Taiwan and Vietnam compare with Pakistan where by 3 April 2020 only 30,308 laboratory tests had been conducted of which 2,450 tested positive (9). We are aware though that over-crowding as well as a lack of clean water and sanitation in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan will increase infection rates unless adequately addressed compared with higher income countries (4,5,(69)(70)(71). This is in addition to ongoing challenges with the subclinical manifestation of COVID-19 across all populations (72).…”

Section: General and Asiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Assessment of Price Instability and Paucity of Medicines and Protection for COVID-19 Across Asia: Findings and Public Health Implications for the Future

Godman

Haque

Islam

et al. 2020

Front. Public Health

103

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Background: Countries have introduced a variety of measures to prevent and treat COVID-19 with medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE), with some countries adopting preventative strategies earlier than others. However, there has been considerable controversy surrounding some treatments. This includes hydroxychloroquine where the initial hype and misinformation lead to shortages, price rises and suicides. Price rises and shortages have also been seen for PPE. Such activities can have catastrophic effects on patients where there are high co-payment levels and issues of affordability. Consequently, there is a need to investigate this further.Objective: Assess changes in the availability, utilization and prices of relevant medicines and PPE during the pandemic among a range of Asian countries.Our approach: Narrative literature review combined with interviews among community pharmacists to assess changes in consumption, prices and shortages of medicines and PPE from the beginning of March 2020 until end of May 2020. In addition, suggestions on ways to reduce misinformation.Results: 308 pharmacists took part from five Asian countries. There was an appreciable increase in the utilization of antimicrobials in Pakistan (in over 88% of pharmacies), with lower increases or no change in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and Vietnam. Encouragingly, there was increased use of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE across the countries, as well as limited price rises for antimicrobials in India, Malaysia and Vietnam, although greater price rises seen for analgesics and vitamin C/immune boosters. Appreciable price increases were also seen for PPE across some countries.Conclusion: Encouraging to see increases in utilization of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE. However, increases in the utilization and prices of antimicrobials is a concern that needs addressing alongside misinformation and any unintended consequences from the pandemic. Community pharmacists can play a key role in providing evidence-based advice, helping to moderate prices, as well as helping address some of the unintended consequences of the pandemic.

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Section: General and Asiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Assessment of Price Instability and Paucity of Medicines and Protection for COVID-19 Across Asia: Findings and Public Health Implications for the Future

Godman

Haque

Islam

et al. 2020

Front. Public Health

103

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“…The pandemic was going to be a challenge to the countries health care system. 10 On 24 th March, the government of India declared a nation-wide lockdown for 21 days which was gradually extended. It was expected that it will reduce the exponential growth of COVID-19 cases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health concerns during lockdown: an observational study among adults of West Bengal

Dey

2020

Int J Community Med Public Health

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The government of India enforced a strict lockdown on 24th of March 2020 to flatten the curve of COVID-19 pandemic. People feared this disease and their daily routine was greatly hampered. Social media and online activities became the life line. This is expected to bring changes in the physical and mental health of the citizens. A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was carried out on the last week of May 2020, after two months of lockdown. Data was collected using a predesigned, pretested google form which included personal details, symptoms experienced during lockdown and measures taken to reduce the problems. 234 participants submitted their response. Majority of the participants were living with their family during lockdown and 80% were studying or working from home. Sleep disorders, problems with appetite and eye problems were found among majority of the participants. About 65% were threatened with the thought of COVID infection and almost half of the participants were anxious about their career. There is need for monitoring and counselling of those affected with physical and psychological problems, especially the students, so that they can cope up with their regular activities, personal and professional life.

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“…According to NITI Aayog, India needs 6.2% additional spending of GDP to achieve 2030 development goals. 19 But achieving the SDGs targets for India has become difficult under such circumstances and calculation is that COVID-19 sharply slashed the projection for India's GDP growth in calendar year 2020 from 5.3% to 2.5%. 20 Graded lifting of restrictions started from first week of June 20 to stop further deterioration in the economy of the country.…”

Section: Economic Crisismentioning

confidence: 99%

India and COVID-19: the task ahead

Bhattacharya

Mukherjee

Shambhavi

2020

Int J Community Med Public Health

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COVID-19 pandemic has impacted countries across the globe causing unprecedented morbidity and mortality and weakening the economic fiber of each country. India too has to face this challenge by its strengths and manage the weaknesses to get over this COVID-19 disease, which is recording an average of 30 to 40000 positive cases per day in july2020 .The factors in favor of India are the epidemiological parameters such as low case fatality rate of 2.43%, recovery rate of 66% , the young population (67 % between 15 to 64 years), and only 7% (65 years plus) population. The guidelines issued by government of India regarding ban on travel, quarantine, isolation, treatment protocols, containment zones and testing policies steering the country with low death rates. The supreme court directive to increase testing facilities is being implemented with all medical colleges and private sector given permission for testing. The “point of care test” at hot spots will unearth asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic cases and prevent transmission from them. However, lack of concept of insurance and prevention in the community, misconceptions about quarantine, economic crisis and insufficient health infrastructure are hindrances in managing the current pandemic. The dictum of prevent, test, track and treat given by Indian council of medical research chief is the path to be followed. Aided by the various digital apps for contact tracing, tele medicine for managing cases in remote areas and provision of hospital facilities for moderate and severe cases till the indigenous vaccine arrives, should be the strategy adopted by India to get over the COVID-19 pandemic.

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COVID-19 pandemic in India: challenges and silver linings

Abstract: Contributors RK, SK and PS were involved in the conceptualisation and proof reading of the submission. RK wrote the submission. RK, SK and PS did the literature review for the submission.

Cited by 40 publications

References 0 publications

Rapid Assessment of Price Instability and Paucity of Medicines and Protection for COVID-19 Across Asia: Findings and Public Health Implications for the Future

Rapid Assessment of Price Instability and Paucity of Medicines and Protection for COVID-19 Across Asia: Findings and Public Health Implications for the Future

Health concerns during lockdown: an observational study among adults of West Bengal

India and COVID-19: the task ahead

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