Sterner action the need of the hour

Disaster in waiting

As emphasised, the microbes (‘germs’ in lay terms) have always been a constant threat to human existence. Hence, an endless war between microbes and humans is always taking place, at all times. There have always been many devastating pandemics in the world, e.g. Plague of Athens in Greece, the Black Death in Europe, the Great Plague of London, Cholera, Measles, Smallpox, Tuberculosis, Spanish flu (1918/19) and more recently, since 1981 – AIDS (Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome). Out of many major pandemics, it was only Smallpox that was eradicated from the world, through a well-coordinated vaccination programme. There are many examples in the past where pandemics have threatened the existence of civilisations and caused the shifting of well-established kingdoms.

Therefore, the current Covid-19 pandemic should never be underestimated.

If we were to carefully analyse the pattern of spread, we realise that the various regions of the world, at present, are in different stages. After the emergence of Covid-19, in Wuhan, China, it caused major havoc in the European region (March 2020 onwards), particularly Italy, Spain, the UK, France, etc. During this period, the South-Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, were relatively quiet and spared. Following its initial rampage in the European region, the epicentre moved towards the USA and Brazil, which were always in the news. Although it continues to prevail in those regions, world attention then started focussing on India which went through a horrible time. It then moved to Indonesia and began to cause much human suffering and deaths. Vietnam, which was strangely unaffected until recently, is now witnessing Covid-19 patients in large numbers. During the past few weeks, the European countries did well with regard to mortality. If people do not act sensibly, it looks like the virus finally takes its toll, despite human preventive efforts.

In observing the pattern of spread with time, although we do not wish it, it looks very likely that the spread of Covid-19 to Australia and New Zealand is inevitable at some point. Therefore, the only realistic best option, currently available, is the vaccination (they should be mindful of the situation as over 80% of their population is still not vaccinated)

In this regard, people must understand their individual and social responsibility in Covid-19 prevention for the greater good of fellow humans. A pandemic of this nature is essentially dependent on community participation and adherence to basic preventive steps.

It appears very strange that a country, like Sri Lanka (where the literacy rate is over 93%, generally, sensitive to health issues and exhibiting an excellent health-seeking behaviour) has a significant percentage hesitant to have the vaccine. The main reasons are thought to be due to fear of possible side effects and fear of needles. This is despite extremely disturbing news we hear and see all day. They must realise that the Covid risk is much greater and worse than the risk of hypothetical side effects of the vaccine.

I feel our country has reached a stage where particularly the reported number of Covid patients has become of no value; in fact it has become only a matter of academic interest. As in realistic terms, the actual numbers are much higher and, in many folds,, is the ground reality. Hence, the wisdom of doing screening tests has become questionable (we still may need to do it in small numbers in order to know the direction that we are in). But as already in force, the main effort and energy of the authorities must be invested in the vaccination programme.

The people who resist vaccination and other basic preventive steps, though ignorance, must bear in mind that the Coronavirus does not discriminate any category of people – rich or poor, they all could be the victims of the situation. Hence, there is still time, to be concerned about individual and social responsibility.

It may be that health messages and appeals have reached a saturation point in the community.

Hence, under these circumstances, we, as healthcare professions, and people of this country, expect the government to adopt emergency laws to deal with the situation and take sterner and more critically decisive action.

Prof Ananda Jayasinghe
Professor in Community Medicine
Faculty of Medicine
University of Peradeniya