The health experts who spoke at a meeting in an Inter University Centre in Mahatma Gandhi University all agreed that the COVID-19 situation in Kerala has now reached a critical phase which calls for greater vigilance and concerted efforts on the part of the state agencies and the people. Dr B. Ekbal, Chairman, Kerala State Expert Committee on COVID-19 and a member of the State Planning Board who delivered the keynote address at the Web-Colloquium on “COVID Keralam: What Next” said that the surge in COVID-19 cases has already sent ominous signals across districts in the state.
The Web-Colloquium was organised in memory of veteran social scientist and former member of Rajya Sabha, Dr. K. Mathew Kurian by the Inter University Centre for Social Science Research and Extension (IUCSSRE), Mahatma Gandhi University.
Dr B. Ekbal said that the state has been held in high esteem for its early preparedness, meticulous planning and anticipatory measures. But concerns and anxieties have grown apace recently about a new wave of the pandemic and even a super spread in the state. If the present trend continues, February will be very crucial for the state, particularly in the context of the forthcoming Assembly elections with its pre-poll activities. It is not reassuring that more than 40 per cent of the caseload reported in the country are from Kerala, besides the state’s high positivity rate. Evidently, the community spread could be ushered in with the easing of restrictions in the post-lockdown period.
Dr Ekbal pointed out that Kerala with its high density of population, high percentage of the older people and a large number of people with comorbidities is among the riskiest states in India when it comes to COVID-19. Yet, notwithstanding the surge in cases, Kerala was able to sustain low death rate (far below all India level) which shows that the state is in the right direction. He said that this success story can be attributed to the success of its distinctive social capital emerging from its decentralised and vigorous public health care system, its dynamic local governance and its well-informed community engagement. He further pointed out that with the onset of the coronavirus, the state’s primary health centres and district hospitals saw spectacular expansion and improvement in infrastructure and funding. This robust health care system also enhanced the morale of the health care personnel to combat the pandemic.
Dr Ekbal further said that Kerala has proudly set a model for ‘good health with low cost, good health with social justice and equity’ in the country.
Dr. K.P. Aravindan, Medical Director of Micro Health Laboratories and former Professor and Head, Dept of Pathology, Govt Medical College, Kozhikode said that there is tendency to downplay the intensity of the COVID-19. We must know that in less than a year, it has taken a heavy toll of two million deaths with more than 100 million infection cases. He said that vaccine is the most effective remedy to combat the pandemic. It was evidently a great achievement—to have developed different vaccines in one year. This has been made possible due to the cooperation and collaboration among the world scientific community, as well as among nations in times of the crisis. Yet, there is a big challenge in the availability of sufficient vaccine for the entire population. The question of equitable distribution among the different sections of people is equally problematic. This certainly calls for political will and democratisation at higher levels, Dr Aravindan said.
Dr. Joy Elamon, Director General, Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) said that the local self-governments (LSGs) have played a critical role in the COVID disaster response measures. LSGs could also sustain effective food security infrastructure and even supported migrant workers in this crucial time. However, with the newly elected members in LSGs, we need to offer fresh, intensive training and planning on an urgent basis to ensure continuity of the work. LSGs also are also expected to step in with new activities and programmes associated with post-COVID management, Dr Elamon said.
Dr. Sabu Thomas, Vice Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University inaugurated the colloquium.
Dr. A.K Jayasree, Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine at the Academy of Medical Sciences, Pariyaram chaired the session. IUCSSRE Director Dr. K.M. Seethi welcomed and Dr. Mathew A. Varghese and others spoke.
