The most developed countries, despite their vast and advanced health care facilities still cannot effectively deal with the COVID-19 situation without a top-notch approach in policy making and implementation, as is the case with the USA. More importantly, there is a strong need for action to ensure that these policies do not hinder the extension of the non-COVID related health services to avoid an even worse state of public health.
Under such circumstances, the burden is only intensified for a developing country like India, home to an already imperfect health care system, with a large number of chronic illnesses and severe socio-economic challenges to the health of the population. The colossal challenge for India is to come up with policies that cater to all of the aforementioned needs, along with the appropriate measures in dealing with the pandemic.
This Research Brief analyses the status of India’s COVID-19 response and its effect on non-COVID health services in the country.
Click here to read the Research Brief
Update: 28th July, 2021
We reached out to a few government stakeholders highlighting the need to ensure accessibility of services to the low income families (non-COVID patients). In our letter to them, we have highlighted the future course of action for their policies in relation to our underprivileged populace and treating them equitably during the times of such disasters. Two major points of focus for the concerned Ministers in this letter are:
a. Transportation Facilities for Patients with Poor Socio-Economic Conditions
b. Mobilized Provision for Medication in Rural Areas
We have also informed the concerned Ministers about a few important initiatives that were taken in our country and abroad, in relation to the issues highlighted by us in the letter. Our recommendations will certainly prove to be beneficial for the patients (both COVID as well as non-COVID) belonging to the lower socio-economic strata.