We can only be successful if we ensure the survival of the weakest

Charles Darwin in his theory of evolution had stated that during the evolution process species that are the fittest tend to survive while the weaker ones get wiped out.  He claims that organisms with genes better suited to the environment are selected for survival and passed on to the next generation. Gradually with time, the fittest survives while the weakest dies. Today a gloom has descended over mankind in form of the corona. In such desperate times, our prayers are for the survival of the weakest. Within my heart, I want that Darwin’s theory should fail this time and the weakest should survive.

Last week there was a heart-wrenching picture in the media about a case in Agra. A woman in an auto rickshaw was trying to resuscitate her husband by giving him mouth to mouth breathing. The wife despite her best attempt could not get her husband admitted to any hospital. As a result, the husband who was gasping for oxygen finally passed away. This picture of a wife trying to save her loved one is a picture people are witnessing across the country.

So how come a country that was celebrating a farewell to corona at the start of 2021 is suddenly in a grip of a second wave?

The government should ensure the survival of the weakest

Just like our country is running short on the supply of oxygen and remdesivir similarly, it’s running short on governance. The politicians of the ruling parties at both the Centre and the State are playing a blame game. Each is trying to score a goal over the other. It’s the judiciary that has ended up playing the referee. The players are busy playing a match without even noticing the huge crowd in the stadium. On the other hand, people in the crowd are falling victim to corona one by one. If timely action is not taken, the stadium soon will become empty.

It’s time for the politician players to stop the goalless match and instead help the weakest in the crowd to survive. Every city in India needs a team of experts comprising of scientists, doctors, administrators whose sole job should be to ensure smooth healthcare facilities to ensure the survival of the weakest. This committee should be ably supported by the ruling party in terms of funds, resources, and manpower.

A Core Committee

The core committee should monitor the situation in real-time. A hospital running short on oxygen or a patient looking for an ICU bed should immediately reflect on the committee’s radar. It should be in a position to identify vacant beds across the city and act accordingly. In case the demand is more than supply, it should ring the alarm bell to the higher-ups for the state government to act.

The government should work on demand and supply numbers and come up with a plan for more beds at vacant schools and make-shift camps. The weakest who couldn’t survive the wave have to be given a respectful last rite. The government should create more cremation and burial grounds so that people can give a decent farewell to the departed soul. Cities with huge populations can be broken into different zones each having its core committee.

Survival of the weakest in villages

This is a challenging job. Poor infrastructure and skeletal healthcare staff at the rural medical centrse will not be able to handle so many critical cases.  The DM of all respective towns should ensure they have a team in place. A couple of ambulances for every village can help to shift critical cases to nearby bigger hospitals.

Corporate India should step in

Companies like Wipro, Tata’s, JSW, and many more are doing their best to ensure the survival of the weakest. A more coordinated effort between them will help in better results. The ASSOCHAM and CII can be a part of bigger initiatives. They can import oxygen plants and concentrators on large scale and install them at hospitals running low on oxygen. Cryogenic containers required for transport of liquid oxygen across the country can be anaother task.

An initiative by Zomato to provide oxygen concentrators to patients and hospitals is a big step in the right direction.

Even the Bollywood fraternity is doing it’s part but in a scattered way. A more concerted effort is required from people who have the means to save the ones who need them. Sara Ali Khan donated funds to the Sonu Sood foundation who is doing some exemplary work helping the poor and the needful since last year. From arranging transport for migrant workers leaving for their villages to gifting a tractor to a needy farmer in Andhra Pradesh, he has been at the forefront of helping the needy. It’s because of people like Sonu Sood that the chances of survival of the weakest improve.

The Medical fraternity needs a big support

The one community that is standing between humanity and death is the medical fraternity. Doctors, nurses, ward boys, the cleaning staff, the staff managing the kitchen all have been waging a war against an invisible force that has created havoc.

This fraternity needs full support from all government authorities in terms of funds and infrastructure support. So, whether it is Oxygen supply or Remdesivir vials, or the vaccines, authorities need to listen to them. Doctors should not be pressurized to favor the VIP patients over the poor. There should be no discrimination between the poor and the rich. After all, both are weak now and it’s the doctors who can ensure the survival of the weakest.

The Pharma industries efforts should be lauded

The future is for humanity is bright as we have giants like the Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech standing behind us. Thanks to them we as a country can be self-sufficient in producing vaccines over some time. Its time government both at the Centre and State along with the private healthcare sector can identify their needs and place orders with the vaccine manufacturers.

The Central government should allow Indian pharma companies to join hands with international companies like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik to make vaccines in India. Prices can vary as the pharma companies need to make money to invest in R&D. The ones who can afford should pay for it leaving the government-funded vaccines for the poor. This is the only way to ensure the survival of the weakest.

To conclude we would all like to prove Darwin wrong for once and hope to see the clean Ganges.

You can read more such stories on my blog. Click on the following link:

Mask: the protective shield that stands between you and the virus

The Lockdown was to be a haven and not a way to heaven

To read more about the vaccination news in India you can click on the following link:

https://www.reuters.com/world/india/pfizer-talks-with-india-over-expedited-approval-covid-19-vaccine-2021-05-03/