Bangalore: Neglect of diseases like TB and cholera during the lockdown may cancel out lives potentially saved by the COVID-19-induced enforcement measure. This was disclosed by a public health expert, Sunday.
Professor, Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad, Public Health Foundation of India, V Ramana Dhara said one has to consider the invisible loss of life from the increase in poverty-related diseases like TB, malnutrition and cholera, which can be neglected while the ‘lockdowns are ongoing’.
The deaths resulting from these diseases may well cancel out the lives potentially saved by the lockdowns. One should view this epidemic as Mother Nature’s reaction to the rampant ecological damage caused by humans resulting in animal habitat loss and resultant contact between humans and animals.
Ramana, on his assessment of the COVID-19 situation in India, noted that clearly the number of cases as Saturday of 1,25,000 has exceeded the predicted 1,00,000 by May-end and is continuing to rapidly rise .
While the case fatality rate is holding steady, overall mortality is more important, but there may be an under-count if some deaths may not be tested for COVID-19, (example: people dying at home) Ramana said.
India’s fraction of the elderly population is below 10 per cent, which may account for the lower mortality. However, if a significant portion of deaths are not tested for COVID, that may also result in lower mortality (where deaths occurring at home are not tested) , Ramana pointed out.
According to him, most models predict a continuing rise in cases with no peak in sight in the country.
“If there eventually is a dip, we have to be prepared for a possible second wave similar to the 1918 Spanish flu. There is currently no way to tell if this will occur,” Ramana asserted. It should be stated here that he as a member of the International Medical Commission on Bhopal disaster, has designed and published the long-term health effects studies on the exposed community.
“Since there is no vaccine or proven treatment yet, we can only rely on the hygiene measures,” Ramana said when asked as to what else needs to be done on an urgent basis in addition to wearing masks, and maintaining physical distancing.
“It is imperative that these measures must be strictly implemented. We are seeing a return to the old ways of indiscipline with the partial lifting of the lockdowns. The virus will definitely spread and we are already witnessing the rise in the number of cases. The hospitals need to be urgently prepared with oxygen and ventilatory support and ICU beds,” Ramana added.
PTI