Dr Arvind Rajwanshi talks about how Uttar Pradesh is preparing to fight the future waves of COVID-19 and vaccine hesitancy among people
How did COVID-19 affect Uttar Pradesh? What challenges did your institute face?
The State did witnessed a surge in COVID cases in April and May, 2021. As the number of cases grew, we started a 50-bedded COVID ward-with 10 ICU beds, 10 HDU beds and 30 beds as triage. All the beds were equipped with oxygen supply. All our senior faculty members from different specialties looked after the COVID-19 patients. Similarly, all medically qualified people in para clinical departments performed duties in COVID ward. Initially, we faced oxygen shortage due to surge in cases, but it was soon resolved with the help of district administration.
How is your institute preparing for future waves?
The second wave taught us that we need to be prepared for future waves from healthcare infrastructure perspective. We have started recruitments for senior and junior resident doctors. Besides, we have added 100 more beds, 90 oxygen beds and 10 paediatric ICU beds.
We now have a PSA plant and liquid oxygen storage tank to deal with any increase in demand for oxygen in the recent future.
There are predictions for future wave. Can it be prevented?
Any pandemic wave is definitely preventable if all of us strictly follow guidelines. People must know that COVID-Appropriate Behaviour (CAB), which includes wearing mask properly, washing, or sanitising hands frequently, maintaining physical distance, prevent crowding, avoiding large gatherings is the first line of defence against virus. Besides, people must take their vaccination when their turn comes. Government is already ensuring equitable access to vaccination.
Do you see vaccine hesitancy? If yes, what is the main reason for it? How can we overcome it?
Initially people were quite hesitant of taking COVID-19 vaccines due to widespread rumours and misinformation around the vaccines like infertility, impotency and many other community centric issues.
However, it is also important to note that large number of people from across socio-economic sections of society have embraced the benefits of vaccination in last few months. This is testimony to the success of our ongoing vaccination programme.
A large chunk of people do trust vaccine. The hesitancy is limited to a few people and cannot be termed as a State wide sweeping concern.
However, sustained need for awareness programmes to educate people, especially women in rural areas, about the importance of vaccines, and busting the myths and misconceptions around them will continue to play a critical role in creating an enabling environment for vaccination in the country.