India has had more than two months to prepare for a coronavirus outbreak. China reported the first case of Covid-19 disease to the World He...
India has had more than two months to prepare for a coronavirus outbreak. China reported the first case of Covid-19 disease to the World Health Organisation on December 31. India confirmed its first case on January 30. Since then, the Indian government has repeatedly claimed it has reviewed the country’s health systems and taken all steps needed to strengthen them. But the government has been tardy in revealing the specifics.
With India gearing up for the first day of a country-wide lockdown on Sunday, here are 10 urgent questions for the government put together by a collective of health reporters.
1. Health inventory
Has the health ministry finished counting how many doctors, nurses, ventilators, intensive care units are available in each state and district? If yes, why has this information not been released online to reassure the public, like most countries have done?
2. Private sector
How many beds and ventilators does India have in public and private hospitals which are installed and ready for immediate use for Covid-19 care? Will the ones in the private sector be deployed free of cost, like it is being done in other countries, especially Spain?
3. Access to care
Reports are emerging of hospitals turning away or evicting patients showing symptoms of the Covid-19 disease. What are the guidelines...
