Page 47 - Swsthya Winter Edition Vol 1 Issu 3 DEC 2020 Circulation copy BP

OPINION

introducing measures such as complete Not being able to meet their category patients) had to be shut down
lockdown, cessation of international loved ones also instills a general due to lack of patients.
and domestic travel as well as ensuring sense of mistrust among patients and However, the troubles are far from
and other initiatives to cope with the their relatives. All of this leads to a over. As we prepare for the second wave
pressures on the health system and corrupted doctor-patient relationship. of the infection in winter, an unforeseen
controlling the spread of the virus. Maintaining the trust and confidence of complication has arisen. Patients who
As if the diagnostic and logistical the patients as well as their attendants had apparently recovered from the
challenges of COVID-19 were not was another challenge for the Indian infection have begun experiencing what
enough, India also had to face many healthcare systems. has been dubbed post-COVID sequelae.
therapeutic challenges. Drug therapy The absence of attendants also A persistent cough and breathlessness,
for COVID-19 was not only costly, but creates certain logistical problems. It associated with fibrotic changes in
many drugs also required the import became increasingly difficult to keep lung parenchyma, are occurring in a
of raw materials from other countries them abreast of the clinical course of the large number of previously recovered
or were not manufactured in India. patient, to obtain consents for invasive patients. Since the pathogenesis
With international trade in complete procedures or to procure medicines and exact treatment of post-COVID
shutdown, this was a major obstacle for patients. Most importantly, it was fibrosis is a matter of active research,
that required a quick solution. The an enormous task to obtain a reliable management of these patients remains
demand for supportive therapy in clinical history of the patient if he/ an onerous task. It has also not yet
the form of multivitamins, zinc etc. she was disoriented or unconscious. been reliably demonstrated whether
also saw a sudden upsurge during the These hurdles were overcome over infection with the virus provides
pandemic. This was soon met by the time through change in clinical practice lasting immunity. Hence, there can
increase in indigenous production by by an increased emphasis on objective be no relaxation in safety protocols
local pharmaceutical companies, which laboratory parameters and physical during the second wave, which will
resulted in an uninterrupted supply examinations rather than history be a huge economic and psychological
nationwide. taking. burden upon our country. The lack of
COVID-19 has often been Though it is ranked much lower an effective vaccine is another setback
described as a “predictably than Western countries in terms in our battle against this virus.
unpredictable” disease due to its of health infrastructure, India has COVID-19 has wounded our
inconsistent clinical course. To date reported one of the lowest mortality country through its impact and has
no reliable parameters have been rates in the world. Furthermore, even surely earned a place in history as one
established that can precisely predict during the peak of the pandemic our of the toughest battles India has had to
the recovery or deterioration of a recovery rates were among the highest fight. Despite the odds, we will continue
patient. This erratic behavior of the in the world despite India being labeled to push forward and hope to one day
disease was another challenge for us as the diabetic capital of the world. overcome this notorious disease that
since it resulted in prolonged ICU stays Many measures taken by the has plagued our land.
and an increased economic burden on national and regional governments
the country. Also, monitoring patients has helped to slow down the doubling REFERENCES:
required regular radiographic imaging rate of cases. It provided precious
through bedside X-rays and CT scans, time for the healthcare infrastructure 1. Physicians (per 1000 people). (n.d.)
which were not so freely available to respond to the demands across the Available: http://data.worldbank.org/
idicator/SH.MED.PHYS.ZS.
everywhere due to cost as well as country. The medical fraternity in the
2. Saaliq S. Limited clean water access in
infectious reasons. front line faced enormous challenge
India spawns COVID-19 concerns, 2020.
COVID-19 requires isolation of and it is undeniable that country’s
Available: https://time.com/5805534/
the patient from his attendants too. doctors and other healthcare staff have india-clean-water-hygine-coronavirus.
This leads to both psychological and made huge contribution during these 3. Tiwaskar M, Vora A. COVID-19 in India:
logistical problems. Both patients trying times. The early and aggressive What We have Accomplished so Far. JAPI
and attendants feel a general sense of response against the virus has led to 2020; 68: 11-12
anxiety and gloom that often manifests reduction of cases to such an extent
as uncooperative behavior, unnecessary that in some places Level 1 Hospitals
complaints or even clinical depression. (for asymptomatic to mild disease
Author Information
Dr A K Singh
MBBS, MD (Med), FICP, FGSI
Head of Department of Medicine, SSPG
Divisional District Hospital, Varanasi, UP,
India. Former; Vice President, Geriatric
Society of India, Governing Council Member,
RSSDI, Former Chairman, API, Varanasi
Chapter,Organizing Secretary, UPAPICON,
Governing Body Member, Association of
Physicians of India,Vice President, Provincial
Medical Services Association.
Name- Dr Shikhar Garg
Qualifications- MBBS, 3rd Year Academic
Junior Resident in Department of Medicine,
Source: https://www.theweek.co.uk/106916/ MLB Medical College, Jhansi, U.P, India.
India: Authority’s attempt to educate Public about the Corona Virus during pandemic

Volume: 1 I Issue: 3 I 2020 2020 I Volume: 1 I Issue: 3 47