Poor and low-middle income countries are facing surges in infectious disease deaths more than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has disturbed healthcare and vital health services leading to thousands of increased deaths due to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. These infectious diseases kill close to three million people every year mainly in low or middle-income countries due to the existence of cheap and effective treatment and prevention. But as the pandemic hits the worst healthcare systems and economy, dozens of these countries are reporting increased infectious disease deaths.
India like any other country is having trouble controlling the COVID-19 cases even in the presence of a full lockdown. India stands on third place in the list COVID-19 infectious after USA and Brazil. People of the country are taking minimal social distancing measures and prevention measures which is leading to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Many people who need treatment, routine check-ups and medicines for diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, flu, malaria have not been receiving the needed health services and medicines due to COVID-19 pandemic.
There are also reports indicating that people are not going to doctor or clinic due to fear of contracting the virus and many of their treatments have been postponed which is leading to failed care for such patients. But the most common reasons for discontinuing or decreasing services were expected care cancellations, a reduction in public transportation available, and a lack of personnel, as health workers had been reassigned to support COVID-19. A lack of drugs, diagnostics and other technology was the reason for discontinuing services. Unsurprisingly, a link appears to exist between rates of service interruption and the progression of a country’s COVID-19 outbreak. Resources are becoming more and more disrupted as a nation progresses from isolated cases to coronavirus community transmission in the population.
Numerous reports have documented a marked drop in vaccinations and primary prevention services which can make people vulnerable to all sorts of diseases now and in future. We have to regain public trust in public health and the health care system. This will entail the creation of versatile and inventive delivery mechanisms to tackle infectious diseases, in particular COVID-19, reducing coronaviral deaths while resolving comorbid conditions, minimizing economic and living damage and preventing children from falling behind on their growth and development. Providing healthcare to those in need while overseeing the COVID-19 pandemic is necessary.
