Goel Isha, Sharma Seema, Kashiramka Smita
Economics Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India.
Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India.
Health Policy Technol. 2021 Mar;10(1):151-164. doi: 10.1016/j.hlpt.2020.12.001. Epub 2020 Dec 25.
Following a surge in cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in June 2020, India became the third-worst affected country worldwide. This study aims to analyse the underlying epidemiological situation in India and explain possible impacts of policy and technological changes.
Secondary data were utilized, including recently published literature from government sources, the COVID-19 India website and local media reports. These data were analysed, with a focus on the impact of policy and technological interventions.
The spread of COVID-19 in India was initially characterized by fewer cases and lower case fatality rates compared with numbers in many developed countries, primarily due to a stringent lockdown and a demographic dividend. However, economic constraints forced a staggered lockdown exit strategy, resulting in a spike in COVID-19 cases. This factor, coupled with low spending on health as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), created mayhem because of inadequate numbers of hospital beds and ventilators and a lack of medical personnel, especially in the public health sector. Nevertheless, technological advances, supported by a strong research base, helped contain the damage resulting from the pandemic.
Following nationwide lockdown, the Indian economy was hit hard by unemployment and a steep decline in growth. The early implementation of lockdown initially decreased the doubling rate of cases and allowed time to upscale critical medical infrastructure. Measures such as asymptomatic testing, public-private partnerships, and technological advances will be essential until a vaccine can be developed and deployed in India.
The spread of COVID-19 in India was initially characterized by lower case numbers and fewer deaths compared with numbers in many developed countries. This was mainly due to a stringent lockdown and demographic factors. However, economic constraints forced a staggered lockdown exit strategy, resulting in a spike in COVID-19 cases in June 2020. Subsequently, India became the third-worst affected country worldwide. Low spending on health as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) meant there was a shortage of hospital beds and ventilators and a lack of medical personnel, especially in the public health sector. Nevertheless, technological advances, supported by a strong research base, helped contain the health and economic damage resulting from the pandemic. In the future, measures such as asymptomatic testing, public-private partnerships, and technological advances will be essential until a vaccine against COVID-19 can be developed and rolled-out in India.
2020年6月，新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）病例激增后，印度成为全球受影响第三严重的国家。本研究旨在分析印度潜在的流行病学情况，并解释政策和技术变化可能产生的影响。
利用二手数据，包括政府来源、COVID-19印度网站最近发表的文献以及当地媒体报道。对这些数据进行分析，重点关注政策和技术干预的影响。
与许多发达国家相比，COVID-19在印度的传播最初表现为病例数较少和病死率较低，这主要归因于严格的封锁措施和人口红利。然而，经济限制迫使采取了逐步解封的策略，导致COVID-19病例激增。这一因素，再加上卫生支出占国内生产总值（GDP）的比例较低，由于医院床位和呼吸机数量不足以及医务人员短缺，特别是在公共卫生部门，造成了混乱局面。尽管如此，在强大研究基础的支持下，技术进步有助于控制疫情造成的损害。
在全国范围内实施封锁后，印度经济受到失业和增长急剧下降的沉重打击。早期实施封锁最初降低了病例的倍增率，并为扩大关键医疗基础设施争取了时间。在印度研发和部署疫苗之前，无症状检测、公私合作以及技术进步等措施至关重要。
与许多发达国家相比，COVID-19在印度的传播最初表现为病例数较少和死亡人数较少。这主要是由于严格的封锁措施和人口因素。然而，经济限制迫使采取了逐步解封的策略，导致2020年6月COVID-19病例激增。随后，印度成为全球受影响第三严重的国家。卫生支出占国内生产总值（GDP）的比例较低意味着医院床位和呼吸机短缺，医务人员不足，特别是在公共卫生部门。尽管如此，在强大研究基础的支持下，技术进步有助于控制疫情造成的健康和经济损害。未来，在印度研发和推出COVID-19疫苗之前，无症状检测、公私合作以及技术进步等措施至关重要。
