Ramp up capacity

Ramp up capacity

The lockdown has immobilised citizens but government cannot afford to slow down
The whole country is in lockdown for 21 days over apprehensions that India’s daily Covid-19 confirmed cases have entered a trajectory preceding an exponential increase in infections. WHO has warned that a lockdown alone can’t defeat the virus and it will keep resurfacing when restrictions are eventually lifted. Having bought precious time at great economic cost, gover nment must use this window to greatly ramp up capacity in healthcare and ancillary sectors. Two months since Wuhan went into lockdown, we know what has worked and failed elsewhere. This lockdown, counterintuitively, also demands preparation on the scale of a war effort.

Sunday’s Janata Curfew witnessed a ringing celebration of medical personnel for their services at the frontlines of India’s war against Covid-19. But encomiums mean little unless government can ensure their well-being. Many government doctors are flagging the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, gloves and hazmat suits/ body overalls. WHO has also emphasised the importance of testing more people. This newspaper has reported how PPE manufacturers kept writing to health ministry since February 12 for design specifications to no avail and that testing kits made by desi companies were awaiting validation for a month.

Fortunately good sense is prevailing and many PPE manufacturers have reportedly received orders now, while some Indian-made test kits have been approved overriding initial guidelines stipulating USFDA/ EU certified kits. With other countries restricting exports, India has no option but to quickly ramp up its domestic capacity, even for critical care. The Rs 15,000 crore announced yesterday for strengthening health infrastructure recognises these realities. Building new hospitals/ clinics for Covid-19 treatment, setting up of critical care units that would require manufacturing of ventilators, installing piped oxygen supply and other necessary components must all happen now in record time.

Services of both public and private sector need to be harnessed on a war footing. Even non-essential industries put out of commission now can contribute. Free, accessible testing and ample facilities for isolation of positive cases will be needed when the lockdown cannot be sustained. This alternative, if adequately backed with equipment and personnel, will slow the virus’s circulation and with less disruption in tow. The lockdown mustn’t end up crippling essential services, industries and even government functions required for the preparations. The social contract by citizens to stay indoors requires government officials to know what needs to be done and to be on their toes. The clock is ticking fast for both the lockdown and capacity building activities.