The entire world heaved a sigh of relief as COVID-19 was withdrawn from the public health emergency list by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on May 5, 2023. Since it was declared a pandemic in 2020, the disease has claimed 70 lakh lives and affected more than 76 crore people. India too faced the heat with 5.3 lakh deaths and 4.5 crore infections and the daily caseload reaching as high as four lakh per day in May, 2021. The pandemic completely exposed the shortcomings of health services. It is notable that long before the outbreak of the pandemic, Microsoft founder Bill Gates warned world leaders about a possible viral attack and urged them to create a protective shield to save the people from it. However the warnings fell on deaf ears as no leader took this threat seriously. As a result, when the pandemic finally broke out, it caught us completely unaware and caused enormous damage, an event which shook modern day civilisation. It brought to light that no matter how many deadly weapons we possess, we are helpless against a microscopic virus.
The catastrophe has taught us several lessons. Firstly, WHO should be given more power to combat serious diseases with possible worldwide implications. The events following the outbreak of the pandemic has proved beyond a doubt that in its present form, the world health body is nothing but a showpiece still at the mercy of big nations. Secondly, every nation should spend more on public health to offer quality and affordable medical treatment to its citizens. The pandemic has further exposed that both developed and developing nations pay very little attention to public health. If the so-called welfare states had performed their duties towards their citizens, the death toll would have been much less. Thirdly, there is an acute shortage of qualified medical staff and emergency treatment facilities even in many super-specialty hospitals. Thus, special attention should be given to maintain the doctor-patient ratio and availability of emergency facilities, so that in the future no one is left untreated even in a pandemic situation. Any failure in implementing these measures will be an act against humanity. It is hoped that, the authorities take every precaution to keep the populace safe from such diseases. We must remember that the fight is not over yet and that viral attacks may make a comeback sooner or later and complacency will only invite doom. However on a positive note, the pandemic highlighted the key role played by the medical fraternity worldwide. Kudos to the hundreds of doctors, medical staff and nurses and all frontline workers for their selfless service despite dangers to personal safety. It is due to their tireless, dedicated work that we have been able to overcome the pandemic. We must all remain vigilant to prevent the outbreak of similar pandemic-like situations.
