“Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.”- Toni Morrison
On this 72nd anniversary of India’s victory in its struggle for freedom, we are in the midst of another struggle, and one that has confined us to our homes. The global pandemic has put more than half of the world’s population under lockdowns and an extremely modified way of life. In this situation, a question arises: How liberated is India’s health care system?
Our methods in this battle against Covid-19, via lockdowns and physical distancing, have been accompanied by a social and economic cost. With 81 percent of the working population involved in the informal economy, the pandemic has also resulted in a massive reverse migration from urban to rural areas. This inward migration has created a severe burden on existing health systems in rural areas, as the majority of outpatient departments (OPDs) in primary health centres have been inoperative since the commencement of the lockdowns.
Lack of access, which has been one of the core problems of the Indian health care system, now came with the inability to travel to district or private hospitals. The wider mortality of Covid-19 has gone beyond the pandemic itself. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), patients with pre-existing non-communicable disease (NCD) conditions such as hypertension and diabetes become more vulnerable, and have an increased risk of mortality not only because they are more susceptible to the virus but also due to the limited medical resources that now have to be directed towards treatment of patients with Covid-19.
Denne historien er fra August 28, 2020-utgaven av Forbes India.
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Denne historien er fra August 28, 2020-utgaven av Forbes India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Home-Cooked Meal Is Now Greatly Valued
The pandemic has also brought with it an improved focus on hygiene, use of technology in dining, rise of cloud kitchens and resurgence in popularity of Indian ingredients
Paytm 3.0 - Reaching Near Breakeven In Two Years
As of 2020, Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s super app for financial services had run up losses in thousands of crores. Now, as digital payments gets yet another boost courtesy Covid-19, he’s hopeful of reaching near breakeven in two years
THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED WOMEN GREATER LABOUR PAIN
Covid-19 has shown that women are more likely to face the brunt of job losses than men, and find fewer opportunities when they want to resume. That apart, several have to deal with increased hours of unpaid work at home and even domestic abuse
LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABOUT SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE
Leaders must not only guard their teams first during a crisis, but also deal with stakeholders with respect and dignity. And apart from pursuing business goals, they should remain committed to our planet and the environment
PHILANTHROPY SHOULD BE HUMBLE, BUT NOT MODEST
Apart from building a flexible and resilient framework for the future, philanthropists, civil society and the government must work in tandem so that every rupee is absorbed on the ground
INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE, TECH WILL DISRUPT SECTOR
While clinical research will get a boost, having a skilled workforce and public spending on health care will be challenges in the near term
DIGITALISATION WILL HELP IN VALUE CREATION
As the pandemic brings technology and innovation to the core of business and daily life, the next decade will see about 150 million digital-first families in India
Industry 4.0: Climate Revolution?
Augmenting sustainability alongside digital capabilities is an economic, competitive and global opportunity for India’s businesses, but regulations need to reflect intent
EV Dream Still Miles Away
Electric vehicles have remained a buzzword in India for years. But not much has moved on ground due to high upfront costs, range anxiety and charging infrastructure
Living Waters
A virus has caused us to scramble for oxygen but our chokehold on the environment is slowly strangling the very waters that breathe life into us. The virus is a timely reminder: We are merely consumers, not producers of life’s breath on this planet