Healthcare needs to evolve amid COVID pandemic

The second wave of COVID-19 has engulfed the entire country and challenges are just soaring high. Since the outbreak of this COVID-19, the range of upcoming risks was very much apparent and healthcare was doing its best to combat its spread, but with the second variant it has gone to another level. Also, even after several announcements by doctors’ fraternity and government to follow COVID appropriate behavior the act of defiance by a section of public has added more to the prevailing challenges.

As far as the entire healthcare industry is concerned, in the beginning it was about additional changes and transformation. Now we have to accept that the current situation is surely unfortunate. With every next moment we are witnessing increasing death toll and infection rate. Recently India recorded 3.79 lakh COVID cases, which were highest in a day till date. Here are some points which need to be considered to let our healthcare industry evolve and ensure healthy society:

Trained paramedical staff. With the changing scenario, the need of the hour is to generate more employment in this field. Many healthcare institutions are facing shortage of manpower including paramedical staff to assist patients. Especially in current times when entire family along with the patient remains at the risk of getting infected, they are also lesser aware in regard to the right care and management. Also, more paramedical staff will help to combat this pandemic.

Digital India, a new ray of hope. Following COVID appropriate behavior the pattern of online consultations is majorly being preferred by people these days. Initially it was being done with the objective to avoid unnecessary crowd at the hospital and ensure safety from the virus. Many hospitals and medical institutions had geared up and encouraged their online consultation programmes. But now adding to this in prevailing second wave people are seen seeking help for patients through online platforms. Many pages and websites have been developed to seek and provide help for COVID patients. Be it the demands of oxygen cylinder, plasma or prescribed drug, or pregnant ladies needing care and support, people are creating a digital network to remain connected and help patients in need. It entirely means in the line of better healthcare system considering pandemic we need to encourage its digital platforms. Hence, we are on the way to take our digital programs to the next level.

Oxygen concentrators versus oxygen plants. Considering dire shortage of oxygen, relevant drugs for COVID patients, many countries have come forward to offer India a helping hand. Countries like UK, Australia, Singapore, France, Russia, Saudi Arabia etc., are some of them. In our country many patients are struggling to even breathe and every social media platform is full of messages seeking help to get oxygen cylinders for their loved ones. Hence, apart from making best out of the offered cooperation from such countries India should encourage more oxygen plants and invest in them. Along with that many patients are on home care and oxygen concentrators are advisable in comparatively minor situations needing oxygen. Unlike oxygen cylinder which stores liquid oxygen in itself, this equipment makes oxygen from the air, it seeks good level of maintenance and also need appropriate cross ventilation at home for fresh air to make oxygen. This is also helping patients get rid of the disease soon. Hence more investment in the manufacture of oxygen concentrators should be done.

Measures for sanitation workers. Sanitation workers add value to the healthcare system. Considering the pattern of their job and associated hygiene issues due to this COVID pandemic, their health is more at risk. We need to give more equipment to them so that they can continue with their work without the fear of risks. As we can see they are also being provided quality PPE kits and other tools. We need to invest more in sanitation worker’s equipment and make their work more advanced.