H1N1
Positive Outcomes of Swine Flu Pandemic
We are no longer hearing as much about the H1N1 Swine flu virus pandemic in the news any more. Whereas earlier we were constantly being bombarded with stories of health care systems in crisis, panic among people rushing to be tested, advice about how to stop the spread of the virus, and about the virulence of the strain etc., we aren’t hearing as much about it these days. The panic is certainly gone and the urgency connected to the pandemic has also receded.
It is however important to remember that the pandemic is still claiming lives daily and it won’t do for health care professionals or the citizens of the country to become complacent about the virus that is still of a very contagious variety and against which most people have still built no immunity. A second wave of infections resulting from the virus are also being predicted so it will pay to remain aware and vigilant.
What the Swine flu has done is, it has drawn the attention of people to the public health care system and has also made the government concentrate more on public health. There is now better funding for public hospitals, which are perhaps now better run and equipped than before probably because of the rush of people wanting to be tested for swine flu has forced them to raise the bar.
This Times of India article talks of some positives that have emerged but that systemic apathy is still evident in public health care. The fact that the wealthier segment of society has forced to rub shoulders with the poor in order to get tested for and receive medication for swine flu has focused much needed attention upon the public health care system and now perhaps even the government is more likely to give the public health care system the kind of shot in the arm that it needs!
Meanwhile the death toll in India stands at 380.
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