Lack of planning is the major reason behind the shortage of equipments during pandemic crisis. Do you agree with this view? Elaborate (200 Words)
Refer - The Indian Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 4 years
KEY POINTS
· People are constantly calling Lokmat offices seeking help to secure beds, obtain oxygen cylinders or arrange for vaccines and medicines. The situation is horrifying.
· The Indian-made Covaxin, which was being distributed free, will now cost Rs 400 to the states and Rs 1,200 to private hospitals.
· When the private hospitals were converted into vaccination centres, it was announced by the Prime Minister that Rs 250 will be the ceiling Rs 150 towards cost of the vaccine plus Rs 100 towards the service charge.
· CNN recently reported a Washington University study that claims that the death toll in India could rise to more than 13,000 a day.
· Short-sightedness and a lack of timely preparation is a big reason for this situation. Senior officials and experts in the government knew that there is no option other than the vaccine in the fight against COVID.
· The Serum Institute invested Rs 2,000 crore on its own and received Rs 2,200 crore from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
· There should be micro-planning at the local level and a website for every district to dispense complete information from beds to oxygen, medicines and ventilators at a click.
· There is a need to accelerate the vaccination drive in the rural areas as well.
