COVID 19 Pandemic Situation in India and Pakistan's Response

Suhni Sindh 2:37 AM

COVID 19 Pandemic Situation in India and Pakistan's Response

 

India has recorded the highest count of new Covid-19 cases in one day anywhere in the world, and the highest number of deaths in the country in 24 hours.

The country is striving with second wave, which is rising fears further due to crashed health care system in the country.

Crowds have formed outside hospitals in major cities that are packed to the max. Several people have died while waiting for oxygen.

Families wait hours to perform funeral rites, Reuters news agency reports, and at least one crematorium in Delhi resorts to building pyres in its parking lot to cope with the numbers that come in.

Meanwhile, some countries are introducing stricter rules affecting travel to and from India amid fears over the surge in cases.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the number of flights between the two countries would be reduced, while the UK added India to a red list, restricting travel and quarantining hotel for all arrivals from India.

What's Happening in Hospitals in India?

India is struggling to cope with the surge in numbers, registering some 314,835 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, while deaths increased by 2,104.

The oxygen supply has been a particular problem as several hospitals in the capital Delhi were completely depleted on Thursday, according to the city's chief deputy minister, Manish Sisodia.

There are many other hospitals which are running in dangerous condition with low capabilities and supplies.

Many people depend on oxygen and without oxygen, these people will die like fish die in the absence of water.

The crisis made its way to Delhi's highest court on Wednesday, where judges publicly criticized the central government for its handling of the oxygen crisis in the city.

On Thursday, when hospitals warned that stocks were rapidly dwindling, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting to try to end the crisis. He asked officials to find ways to produce more oxygen, while telling states to "sharply" cut back on anyone who accumulates supplies.

A feeling of helplessness

Friends and family asking for help to fix beds and medicines. There are many cases where patients died because they could not get oxygen in time. It is heartbreaking for families to know that the hospital where their loved ones are being treated will soon run out of oxygen.

Experts wonder why the government allowed the situation to become so dire. The situation was under control during January, but the Indian government did not use this lean period to boost up health care facilities.

And now people are paying a high price for it, and people are left feeling helpless all over.

How is India trying to contain the cases?

Unlike last year, no nationwide shutdown has been announced. Instead, the regions are implementing their own rules.

Delhi announced a week-long shutdown for the weekend, leaving only government offices and essential services like hospitals, pharmacies and grocery stores open.

Authorities in the hardest-hit state of Maharashtra, already under partial lockdown, have announced a series of additional restrictions starting Thursday night.

Maharashtra State is the richest state of India and base to its financial center. The state has also been Covid center since the start of pandemic, while accounting a quarter of cases in India.

67,468 death cases have reported from Maharashtra which are more death than any other state. India has suffered nearly 185,000 deaths from Covid, according to Johns Hopkins University. However, although deaths have been increasing, the death rate remains relatively low.

large number of cases are reported in Uttar Pradesh. Subsequently, its high court ordered to close five severely affected districts. However, these order was suspended after appeal by the government in the Supreme Court.

How is the vaccination campaign in India going?

India, which has a population of more than 1 billion people, has so far administered more than 130 million doses, but the campaign has been restricted to healthcare workers, front-line personnel, those over 45 and anyone with comorbidities.

Beginning May 1, people over the age of 18 will also be eligible for the vaccine. But a supply shortage, which is already affecting the unit, could slow it down even more.

The crisis has affected the Covax program, which relied heavily on the Serum Institute of India. He told the BBC it had suffered a shortfall of around 90 million doses after India prioritized its own needs, but says talks are now underway to resume production.

The scheme to share vaccines with other countries

The pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced that it was in talks with the Indian government to supply its Covid-19 vaccine to the country at a non-profit price, according to the Reuters news agency.

What caused the last wave?

India has seen a rapid increase in the number of cases over the past month driven by lax security protocols, a Hindu festival attended by millions and variants of the virus, including a "double mutant" strain. According to National Institute of Virology, 61% of samples tested in Maharashtra.

Big election rallies, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also did not stop in West Bengal state, which has been holding staggered elections in recent weeks. The government has defended the decision to continue with the polls.

Pakistani Government and People Response

Where government of Pakistan itself is also striving against pandemic during the COVID 19 current wave, the government has also feelings for the India and offering their assistance. It is evident that “#PakistanStandwithIndia” has become trending on Twitter, how people has shown solidarity with neighboring country India.

Prime Minister Imran Khan

In this regard Prime Imran Khan said through message on Twitter that he expresses solidarity with the Indian people who are struggling for the lethal wave of COVID-19.  Further he prayed for speedy recovery people affected by Corona virus around the world, including India. Moreover, he gave must message that countries must fight this menace together as human being.

Foreigner Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi

The minister has given message on twitter that government of Pakistan has formally offered support to India including health equipment with policy to #humanity first.

Fawad Chaudhary

Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary showed solidarity with india during the pandemic and prayed for early recovery.

Edhi Foundation

Edhi foundation is Pakistani NGO which has the world’s largest volunteer ambulance fleet having over 1800 ambulances. The NGO was founded by Late Abdul Sattar Edhi during 1990s, who expired on 8 July 2016 due to kidney failure. His son Faisal Edhi has written a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering fleet of 50 ambulances in a struggle to fight against COVID 19 current wave in India.


Edhi letter to Indian PM


 Former actress Noor Bukhari

The actress who quit the showbiz industry for the sake of Islam, said her fans through Instagram account that her prayers with India. She also advised her fans that If any person who has tested positive for COVID 19, he should listen to recitation of Surah Ar-Rahman three times in a day." The celebrity further advised to stay at home and remain safe."

As well as many other people including politicians, showbiz celebrities and sportsmen showed solidarity with Indians during this time of difficulties during the COVID pandemic.

On the other hand Indian people have also pleased to receive such positive response from Pakistani community and prayed that the both countries may get rid of this trouble.

 

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