A section of my Facebook acquaintances is always out with their swords to sever my head whenever I remotely mention PM Modi’s name in any critical terms. Most are parochial, who believe that India got its independence on 26th May 2014, the day Modi Ji became the PM. They also believe that India will once again be enslaved by colonial masters if Modi steppes aside. I have responded by speedily removing such people from my list, but a few remain in the sleeper cells.
While discussing Covid management, the most striking feature is the death numbers in India, a few less than 350000. I am sure, the moment I write this bar, pie charts and graphs will be thrown at my wall, comparing the figures from the US to the remotest Tristan da Cunha islands. Indian death figures, alleged to be grossly underreported, are a reality that cannot be brushed under the carpet.
The first question is, why did the government not take Covid seriously and let loads of fliers arrive in the country, until the day of the lockdown, in a misplaced Maitri-Bhavana, mother’s concern? Most countries barred flights and in time to limit the spread of the pandemic.
The second question is, could Covid been better managed in India? The opposition parties carried their bitter differences with Modi’s BJP, afraid he would win the Covid battle and opposed most moves by the government. Sadly, they do so to this day.
We may gush at being one of the few countries to make the vaccines but prematurely exported more than 66 million doses to various countries. In what became known as vaccine diplomacy, to prove that we are as dependable as China, distributing their Sinovac to their favoured nations. Could the 66 million exported vaccines prevented a few thousand deaths in India or slowed the spread?
We prematurely announced a victory over ‘Covid-asura,’ the nation immediately discarding the masks and social distancing. Avoidable religious gatherings and political rallies became super spreaders. A few went berserk planting stories that all those who raise fingers at Kumbh or Modi are anti-Nationals.
Everything related to the treatment went short of demand, which is not strange, as there was a vicious second phase, more virulent and speedily spreading. But beds, oxygen, Remdesivir, Tocilizumab all were available only at exorbitant prices in the black market. Political support was for a cost. The government failed to foresee the shortage of oxygen or control the lifesaving drugs and stepped in very late.
The vaccine rollout started free at the government hospitals and Rs.250 by Private hospitals. Later the prices were 3-tiered; free for the poor, Rs400 for the States and Rs.800 for the private hospitals. Private hospitals charged as much as Rs.1500/- per shot. A mafia created a scare of shortage. The scenario was no different from the exchange of old currency, post demonetization when one had to struggle, brave long queues and denials at the vaccination centres as vaccines did not exist.
The States started protesting and were given a free hand to procure vaccines from wherever. The States met a stonewall when the manufacturers insisted that they would not supply to the States and deal only with the Centre. The States were at the mercy of the Centre, which faced an acute shortage of vaccines, started issuing advisories over the extension of the second shot, sometimes 4 weeks, then 6 to 8 weeks and later 12 weeks of the first shot. At the same time, the original manufacturer maintained that the second dose is given best after 4 weeks after the first dose.
After three weeks of disgusting delay the scenario today is that many are waiting, after registering in the Co-win app, without getting a slot. The prescribed vaccination centres have been throwing their hands up, stating they have no vaccines. Those who have had the first dose of a particular vaccine not getting the same and running from post to pillar.
Therefore, the PM went on the air today, a wee bit mellowed, and I feel scared of the fallout of Covid, which could singe his government. The address was Modi’s 9th on vaccines.
The key takeaways are:
1.Central to procure 75% of the vaccines produced in India
2.An empowered group formed with ministers with MHA as the nodal ministry for the distribution and supply chain of the vaccines
3.Private hospitals free to buy 25% of the vaccines
4.Free vaccines from Centre to the States from 21st June
5.Free jabs for 18-44 age group at Government hospitals
6.Free ration extended
7.Free Ration for the poor till Diwali (November)
8.Vax profits capped at Rs. 150/- (Does anyone know what the vaccines cost the manufacturers?)
Please don’t waste time throwing statistics at me or calling me names. I love India and Modi as much as you do. Prove to me that the death figures of 350000 are false. Much of the pain could be an inept team, religion and politics sneaking a peek in everything government.
Please move aside Mr. Prime Minister and show the face of your Health Minister for once!
Jai Hind!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
