The COVID-19 Outbreak in India and The Global Community Response

India has experienced a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections and deaths that may be
linked to a new variant. Hospitals across India, by late April, had a worrying shortage of
medical equipment, beds, medicines, and worked with extremely low levels of oxygen
available. Some suspended new patients’ admission. Indian leaders – the Modi
Government – eventually declared a second nation wide lockdown.
This dizzying rise contributed to the Supreme Court decision requiring the Modi
Government to transfer oxygen used for industrial purposes to hospitals to save lives.
The oxygen crisis and the crowded hospitals in several Indian regions contributed
massively to the death toll. The importance of the Court’s ruling was recognised. It
prioritised humankind’s well-being over economic interests. Demanding the transfer of
oxygen to healthcare institutions became a positive step demonstrating the judiciary’s
dedication to safeguarding the civil society’s health and common benefit. The oxygen
crisis in India serves as a global alarm, an eye-opening and learning experience for the
international arena. Global organisations and decision-making entities must collaborate
and take action for the protection of the fundamental right to life and other human
rights and liberties. A well-balanced, strong answer to the perennial dilemma seems to
be provided considering the prioritisation of human dignity over the economy. Since the
start of the pandemic, Indian health authorities have recorded millions of cases and
thousands of deaths. Moreover, the new variant is spreading quickly. Public health
experts argue that, during the winter season, the Modi Government lifted measures that
enabled large scale gatherings. Some accuse politicians from across the spectrum for
encouraging rallies and overcrowded religious celebrations. The Government opened
the country’s doors in a supposed attempt to save the Indian flagging economy, arguably
a terrible excuse to cover political aspirations.
Other than essential reasons, physical interaction should be avoided in these
unprecedented times for the sake of the health of the individual and the community.
Amidst the collapse of the healthcare system, citizens in India resorted to asking for
COVID-19 related help on social media outlets such as Twitter and Instagram. It is
argued that independent monitoring by non-governmental bodies should be even more
incentivised. It fuels local and international cooperation between mechanisms operating
in India and at a global level. The question thus arises, to what extent should they
interfere? Can an immediate, effective global response be expected?
The exodus brought millions of citizens back to the poverty line levels. India launched
its vaccination program (starting on 16th of January), but only a small part of the
population has had access to it, but the reach has grown gradually. While the country’s
vaccination rates show promise, it is a tremendous challenge to have vaccines available
for everyone, to reach universal access due to the size of India’s population. It will take a
long time to get the country’s population vaccinated. The largest cities till late May
experienced a much higher number of body cremations and burials under COVID-19
protocols with crematoriums running full. Members of the State’s health authorities said
that this incredible increase occurs due to the body cremation “even though there is a
0.1% probability that the person has been infected”. It was said that “patients arrive at
hospitals in terribly critical conditions and die before being tested” and, also, that
“patients are brought to hospitals already dead and it is hard to tell if they are cases of
infection caused by the pandemic”. Yet, academics and researchers argued that many
Indian regions are in “data denial”. Circumstances of large crematoriums occupied with
an astonishing number of bodies weekly are spread all around India. They reported a
much higher number of cremated bodies than the data on the pandemic-caused deaths
provided by the Government. Consequently, those who lose relatives seek funeral
services taking place in improvised spaces carrying out mass burials and cremations.
To know more: https://peaceforasia.org/the-covid-19-outbreak-in-india-
and-the-global-community-response-a-ray-of-hope-or-walking-towards-
the-abyss/