It is an historical fact that whenever a need arises according to the situation the scientists and other associated officials worked on it and came out with a solution sooner or later. Whether in the field of Education, Science & Technology or Medicine the new way of teaching, technology up gradation or effective vaccination are used to ease the pressure situation. Using play way method & smart classes at schooling, Information Technology to handle huge rush and development in surgery & medicine to cure. By innovation of the latest technology we are able to manage the huge volume of data in case of education, agriculture & other fields. Similarly, by innovation of vaccine we can treat HIV, Bird Flu, Cancer, Tuberculosis and other disease. I remember the implementation of new software in the year 2000 on the completion of year 1999 and problems faced by technical team. In our major institutions we are facing infrastructure scarcity, technical skill weakness and lagging in mutual understanding. On each passing day, year or a decade we have to face new challenges and explore the possibilities to manage it effectively. In the whole process of new outbreak there are three stages starting with the outbreak then immediate measure in second phase and cure at last. As far as the latest outbreak COVID 19 in India is concerned it is in first phase at present and considered one of the fast growing largest deadly disease. In World Health Organization release the number of affected people crossed three lacs from two lacs in just four days. This incurable virus spread over 180 countries across the globe and do not spared India also.In Kashmir we have limited resources, taking casual approach in following the advisory and weak in taking prompt administrative steps to tackle the new challenges.
In view of COVID 19 virus doctors & associate personnel across the globe are working hard to find the medicine or vaccination to save precious lives. Till then the concerned officials issued instructions, guidelines and advisory from time to time for the safety of general public like washing hands, keep social distancing and stay at home. As per the exigencies arise the administration has to manage the things in a systematic manner so that we will be able to block this deadly disease. In a peculiar situation the better coordination & cooperation between government and the people will decrease the pressure. Keeping in view the past experience the officials seems a bit improved in discharging their duties at administrative level and people in coordination mood. But when the challenge is big like COVID 19 hence prompt action, effective arrangements and following the advisory in letter & spirit is evident. The whole country is locked down for 21 days announced by Prime Minister and the action points are in place in order to discontinue & break the chain of communicable disease.
It has been observed that people are hiding their foreign travel or outside travel history. It is very unfortunate that some persons instead of voluntarily disclose their travel history were picked up from their homes for isolation. The checking personnel at airport are focusing only on the students arrived from outside country hence skipping many travelers believe to be affected. Relatives of these students are upset due to lacking of proper sanitation & some basic facilities in identified isolation rooms. These students remain in buses after carried from airport that too in groups throughout a day. In these circumstances there is every possibility of increase in number of infected people if anyone them tested positive. This huge risk resulted due to lack of coordination between the government & parents and arrangement thereof. It may be in the interests of the situation when the parents of these children be informed about their isolation location like room number etc well before their arrival at Sheikh Ul Alam Airport. By informing the parents and relatives of these students may help in making the isolation rooms more comfortable. The courtesy shown by one of resident who voluntarily dedicated his hotel for isolation centres is highly appreciable. Despite thousands of deaths happened due to Coronavirus it is very unfortunate that VIP syndrome still exists in Kashmir.
This virus do not spread only by handshaking and coughing but it can affect a person handling cash currency. A person at payment or receipt cash duty have an instrument to detect fake currency but do not have an instrument to detect the virus. It is only precautions like to wash their hands regularly and use sanitizers while dealing with cash. Whether it is a bank official, shopkeeper, or a vegetable vendor cash circulation passing through everyone. It is need of an hour to invent an instrument to protect the currency in spreading the deadly virus and is considered a new challenge in an era of medicine & technology. Importance of accuracy of medical test can be judged when a person from Leh do not detected positive but detected in third time. Much bigger challenge may happen in future (God forbid) at that point of time we must be ready to tackle the situation at all levels whether it is awareness & maturity among the people, well equipped &sophisticated infrastructure and effective coordination. It is right time to upgrade the current machinery facilities provided in hospitals.
Shabir Ahmad Shah can be reached at shabir_anas@yahoo.com
